used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
in a state of sleep
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
next to; at the side of
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
capsizeverbUS /ˈkæpsaɪz/
overturn accidentally
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
intentionally conceived
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
DreadnoughtnounUS /ˈdrednɔːt/
battleship that has big guns all of the same caliber
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
drowsyadjectiveUS /ˈdraʊzi/
half asleep
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
a small worthless amount
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
and nothing more
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
the act of departing
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
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 How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
in other respects or ways
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
by chance
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
on the contrary
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
To recall to mind.
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
runnersnounUS /ˈrʌnərz/
plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
sleepinessnounUS /ˈsliːpinəs/
a very sleepy state
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
succumbedverbUS /səˈkʌmd/
past form of “succumb” — consent reluctantly
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
in or at that place or location
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
a special situation
From this reading The next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
the upper part of anything
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading How long Jack and I had lain there, curled up under the bows of the "Dreadnought" that stormy Christmas morning, I never knew.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading However, my sleepiness was evidently greater than my fears on this point, and I dropped off, leaving the question to decide itself.
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 next thing I was conscious of was a strange noise overhead, and a sudden dash of water on to the floor of the boat just beside me.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading For I, like him, had succumbed to the drowsy influence of the cold and wet, and fallen asleep.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
showing curiosity
From this reading I remember, just before dropping off, thinking the storm must be increasing rather than otherwise, and vaguely wondering whether the wind could possibly capsize the boat up here in the top of its runners.
