aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
destructionnounUS /dɪˈstrʌkʃən/
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Lilly found it extremely pleasant.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
set up or found
From this reading Lilly found it extremely pleasant.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
the act of giving
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading On the little boat glided.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
infestedverbUS /ˌɪnˈfestɪd/
past form of “infest” — invade in great numbers
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Lilly found it extremely pleasant.
kelpies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
without good reason
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
Lilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lilly found it extremely pleasant.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the little boat glided.
lurenounUS /lʊr/
qualities that attract by seeming to promise some kind of reward
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Lilly found it extremely pleasant.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
on the contrary
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
skimmedadjectiveUS /skɪmd/
used of milk and milk products from which the cream has been removed
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
sparkledverbUS /ˈspɑːrkəld/
past form of “sparkle” — reflect brightly
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It did not seem to occur to Ralph that the current, rather than his exertions, was carrying them on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
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 sun shone brightly and sparkled on the surface of the stream; and so clear was the water, that the fish could be seen swimming about on each side of the boat.
water-fowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
which person or people
From this reading The water-fowl skimmed lightly over it, or flew from bank to bank, every now and then giving forth strange cries, which made Lilly declare that the river must be infested by water kelpies, who were attempting to lure them to destruction.
