used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading GUS HAS AN ADVENTURE.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading GUS HAS AN ADVENTURE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
foolishlyadverbUS /ˈfuːlɪʃli/
without good sense or judgment
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
set up or found
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
GUSnounUS /ɡʌs/
plural of “gu” — the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas which is administered as a territory of the United States; it was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898
From this reading GUS HAS AN ADVENTURE.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GUS HAS AN ADVENTURE.
haulverbUS /hɔːl/
draw slowly or heavily
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
loosenverbUS /ˈluːsən/
make loose or looser
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
engage in
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/
to extremes
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
sharknounUS /ʃɑːrk/
any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
move stealthily
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
dependable
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He then braced himself against the rail and raised the cry for help heard by the others.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
bound or secured closely
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
tugverbUS /tʌɡ/
pull hard
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
precisely as stated
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But the strain on his arm was terrible, and when the shark gave an extra heavy tug, Gus went overboard in a twinkling.
at the time that
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
wristnounUS /rɪst/
a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading In order to make sure that the line should not slip through his hands, Gus had very foolishly tied it about his wrist; and when it became evident that he could not haul in the shark, he found that neither could he loosen the line, which was now pulled into a hard knot.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading The accident that had happened to the stout youth was easily explained.
