used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
bedaubedadjective
ornamented in a vulgar or showy fashion
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
bowspritnoun
a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
bulgingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌldʒɪŋ/
curving or bulging outward
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Cave by the Tide.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The Cave by the Tide.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
grotesquelyadverbUS /ɡroʊˈteskli/
in a grotesque manner
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
half-lowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
haulverbUS /hɔːl/
draw slowly or heavily
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
an instinctive motive
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
a particular point in time
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
Reube
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Cave by the Tide.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The Cave by the Tide.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading The latter rose with a gasp and stood waist deep, clinging to the bowsprit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His head and arms were bedaubed grotesquely with the mud into which he had plunged with such violence.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The next moment, however, while the half-lowered sail was bulging and flapping, he leaped into the bow to help Will.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ACTING instantly on the impulse of an old sailor, Reube had sprung forward almost with the shock, and started to haul down the mainsail in order to relieve the strain.
