used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
appreciatedadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃieɪtɪd/
fully understood or grasped
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
cause to be bored
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Pale and with closed eyes lay Robert in the bottom of the boat.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Pale and with closed eyes lay Robert in the bottom of the boat.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
energeticallyadverbUS /ˌenərˈdʒetɪkli/
in an energetic manner
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Pale and with closed eyes lay Robert in the bottom of the boat.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
with resolute determination
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
the act of departing
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
HERMITnounUS /ˈhɜːrmət/
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
insensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsensəbəl/
incapable of physical sensation
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
and nothing more
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
immediately past
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Pale and with closed eyes lay Robert in the bottom of the boat.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
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 But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
a particular point in time
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
occupantnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənt/
someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Pale and with closed eyes lay Robert in the bottom of the boat.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
raftnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
To recall to mind.
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
free from harm or evil
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In the dusk our hero had not seen the boat nor known that help was so near at hand.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
swimmernounUS /ˈswɪmər/
a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
a special situation
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading But the occupant of the boat had, from a distance, seen the going to pieces of the raft, and appreciated the peril of the brave swimmer, and paddled his boat energetically toward him just in time to rescue him when already insensible.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
at the time that
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
a Caucasian
From this reading But at the critical moment, when the doors of death seemed to be swinging open to admit him, he was firmly seized by a slender, muscular arm, extended from a boat shaped somewhat like an Indian canoe and rowed by a tall, thin man with white hair and a long white beard.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HERMIT OF THE CLIFF The last thing that Robert could remember was the singing of the waters in his ears and a weight as of lead that bore him downward with a force which he felt unable to resist.
