used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
burnishedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrnɪʃt/
made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
cravedadjectiveUS /kreɪvd/
wanted intensely
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
DazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
domenounUS /doʊm/
a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
embracingnounUS /emˈbreɪsɪŋ/
the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
opinion or judgment
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
flakesnounUS /fleɪks/
plural of “flake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
impetuousadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpetʃwəs/
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
incessantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsesəntli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
set down according to a plan
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
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 She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
a particular point in time
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
and nothing more
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
persistentlyadverbUS /pərˈsɪstəntli/
in a persistent manner
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
quicksilveradjectiveUS /ˈkwɪkˈsɪlvər/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
rainbowsnounUS /ˈreɪnboʊz/
plural of “rainbow” — an arc of colored light in the sky caused by refraction of the sun's rays by rain
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
rimnounUS /rɪm/
the shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
the act of searching for something
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/
a protective covering or structure
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
universenounUS /ˈjuːnəvɜːrs/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading She left him and he obeyed her mechanically--only looking nervously round for a moment as he folded his coat containing the precious manuscript and laid a heavy stone upon it.
having passed out of existence
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
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 water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
waveless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
waveredverbUS /ˈweɪvərd/
past form of “waver” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Dazzling threads and flakes and rainbows flashed up, wavered, trembled, glittered and vanished as he swam forward.
in or at the place that
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
a Caucasian
From this reading With his eyes fixed on the immense dome of sky above him, where, like the rim of a burnished shield, it cut down into the horizon, he struck out incessantly, persistently, seeking, in thus embracing a universe of white light, to find the escape he craved.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He plunged out into the waveless sea with fierce, impetuous strokes.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading The water yielded to his violent movements like a lake of quicksilver.
