used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
on or to one side
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/
with boldness, in a bold manner
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
brieflyadverbUS /ˈbriːfli/
for a short time
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
cautionedverbUS /ˈkɑːʃənd/
past form of “caution” — warn strongly; put on guard
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
ChevaliernounUS /ˌʃevəˈlɪr/
French actor and cabaret singer (1888-1972)
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Without a word De Noyan followed.
DEATH-DAWN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
durst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
flag-ship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Without a word De Noyan followed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
and nothing more
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
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 Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
engage in
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
a particular point in time
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
Noyan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without a word De Noyan followed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
permittingverbUS /pərˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
with speed
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
without speaking
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
in the near future
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
move an implement through
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
unceremoniouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnserəˈmoʊniəsli/
in an unceremonious manner
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
vessel'snounUS /ˈvesəlz/
possessive form of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading "We must move rapidly, Chevalier, to make up lost time," I cautioned briefly, wading out, dripping, upon the bank.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
watchernounUS /ˈwɑːtʃər/
a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
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 So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE BIRTH OF THE DEATH-DAWN We durst not swim to the nearest landing, just beyond the bow of the big flag-ship we had so unceremoniously quitted, fearing our efforts to stem the current might attract the attention of some watcher on board.
(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 So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading So permitting myself to drift silently beneath the vessel's stern, without the stir of a limb to disturb the water, I was soon well away from the great black shadow.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Without a word De Noyan followed.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet time was far too precious to permit long drifting, and at the earliest moment I dared the venture we turned aside, striking out boldly for the shore.
