used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
anew
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
on or to one side
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
a youthful male person
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
a young person of either sex
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
drowningverbUS /ˈdraʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
emergeverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/
come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
opinion or judgment
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
flingingverbUS /ˈflɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
onwardadverbUS /ˈɔːnwərd/
forward in time or order or degree
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
overtakeverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪk/
catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
reappearedverbUS /ˌriːəˈpɪrd/
past form of “reappear” — appear again
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
redoubleverbUS /riˈdʌbəl/
double in magnitude, extent, or intensity
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
cut with a saw
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
only a very short time before
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
strugglingadjectiveUS /ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ/
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
two times
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
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 How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
at the time that
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
wildlyadverbUS /ˈwaɪldli/
to an extreme or greatly exaggerated degree
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
in the company of; together with
From this reading How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!
wrungverbUS /rʌŋ/
inflected form of “wring” — twist and press out of shape
From this reading Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth!
