used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
baitedverbUS /ˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “bait” — harass with persistent criticism or carping
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
companion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
without stop or interruption
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
crabnounUS /kræb/
decapod having eyes on short stalks and a broad flattened carapace with a small abdomen folded under the thorax and pincers
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
crabsnounUS /kræbz/
infestation of the pubic hair by crab lice
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
deftlyadverbUS /ˈdeftli/
with dexterity; in a dexterous manner
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
fathomsnounUS /ˈfæðəmz/
plural of “fathom” — a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
a boy or man
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
four-inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
hookverbUS /hʊk/
fasten with a hook
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
and nothing more
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
prize's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading In an instant he had seized the hook, and, diving, made for the opening between the rocks.
sinkernounUS /ˈsɪŋkər/
a small ring-shaped friedcake
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
refrain from harming
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
stickingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪkɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
swiftnessnounUS /ˈswɪftnəs/
a rate (usually rapid) at which something happens
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
propel through the air
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
Tommy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
Unreeving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading Meanwhile, by my black companion's whispered instructions, I had cut the sinker off a spare line, and baited the four-inch hook with the two largest crabs left.
which person or people
From this reading Unreeving about six fathoms of line, I handed the baited end to 'Tommy,' who deftly threw it just before the nose of the big fellow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They swam but slowly, though every now and then they would turn with some swiftness of motion as 'Tommy' continued to throw in pieces of crab.
yellingnounUS /ˈjelɪŋ/
uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement
From this reading 'Tommy,' yelling to me to look to the other lines, held on like grim death and managed to turn his prize's head in time; the two others sticking close to their brother in misfortune.
