used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
anticipatedadjectiveUS /ænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
completely unclothed
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
bargeverbUS /bɑːrdʒ/
push one's way
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
BLACKSMITHnounUS /ˈblæksmɪθ/
a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
without doubt or question
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
darkeradjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkər/
comparative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
one or the other of two
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
apart from; not including
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
GloucesternounUS /ˈɡlɑːstər/
a town in northeastern Massachusetts on Cape Ann to the northeast of Boston; the harbor has been a fishing center for centuries
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
lappingnounUS /ˈlæpɪŋ/
covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
engage in
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
not any; not one
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
with speed
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
rustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/
make a dry crackling sound
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
transport commercially
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
possessing sweep
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
moving very fast
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Except for the bark of a distant dog there was no sound more disturbing than the rustle of leaves, and the lapping of water.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
bound or secured closely
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As this ship had not been in sight previously I concluded the drift had been greater than anticipated, and I struck out quickly toward the opposite bank, fearful lest I be borne down as far as Gloucester before I could finally make land.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
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 THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading THE BLACKSMITH I had come up gasping for breath, well out in the stream, either shore a mere darker shadow showing above the water.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading How far I had been swept below the barge could not be guessed, as I could distinguish no outlines clearly, excepting the bare spars of a vessel, tied up to the west shore.
at the time that
From this reading It was a hard swim across the swift current, and I was nearly exhausted when I finally crept up the low bank, and lay dripping and panting in the shelter of some low bushes.
