used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
in addition
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
at or in or to any place
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
ash-blades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
Bedell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
cataractsnounUS /ˈkætərækts/
plural of “cataract” — an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
districtnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkt/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
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 When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
hold firmly
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
half-upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Bedell looked over his shoulder often.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
NiagaranounUS /naɪˈæɡrə/
waterfall in Canada is the Horseshoe Falls; in the United States it is the American Falls
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
and nothing more
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Bedell looked over his shoulder often.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
pursuernounUS /pərˈsuːər/
a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
To recall to mind.
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
remorselessadjectiveUS /rɪˈmɔːrsləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
cut with a saw
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Bedell looked over his shoulder often.
smoothnessnounUS /ˈsmuːðnəs/
a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
move hurridly
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
successive (without a break)
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
stream's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
with strength or in a strong manner
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
threatsnounUS /θrets/
plural of “threat” — something that is a source of danger
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/
dangerously unstable and unpredictable
From this reading He was also deceived by the stream's treacherous smoothness, and instead of half-upward, pulled straight across, as if certainly able to land anywhere he might touch the American shore.
a shaky motion
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They feared the pursuer only, quite unconscious that they were in the remorseless grasp of the river.
at the time that
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
Winthrop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George Winthrop saw Bedell in pursuit, he bent to his ash-blades more strongly, and Ruth, trembling to remember her father's threats, urged her lover to speed.
but in spite of that
From this reading Ruth had so often seen her father far lower down than they had yet drifted that she did not realize the truth, and George, a stranger in the Niagara district, was unaware of the length of the cataracts above the Falls.
