used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
in addition
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
the lower side of anything
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
deem to be
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
set up or found
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
the act of departing
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
gruntnounUS /ɡrʌnt/
the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
Haldidge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
launchingnounUS /ˈlɔːntʃɪŋ/
the act of moving a newly built vessel into the water for the first time
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
a particular point in time
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
rapidsnounUS /ˈræpədz/
plural of “rapid” — a part of a river where the current is very fast
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
remotestadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊtəst/
superlative of “remote” — located far away spatially
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
SethnounUS /seθ/
(Old Testament) third son of Adam and Eve; given by God in place of the murdered Abel
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
StyxnounUS /stɪks/
(Greek mythology) a river in Hades across which Charon carried dead souls
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the first place, there was not an oar in the boat, and thus, not being able to “paddle their own canoe,” they were also deprived of the ability to paddle one belonging to some one else.
at the time that
From this reading So saying, Seth made his way to the stem of the canoe when he rested himself--not upon the bottom of it, as he expected, but upon something _soft_, which emitted a grunt audible to all, as he did so.
in or at the place that
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
whitesnounUS /waɪts/
plural of “white” — a Caucasian
From this reading The whites found in a moment that they had committed a great mistake in launching as they did.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Besides this, the river was dark as Styx, and the whole sky and air were of the same inky blackness, and not one in the boat had the remotest idea of where they were going--whether it was to pitch over some falls, down some rapids or into the bank.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I’m going to set down and consider which is the biggest fool, Haldidge, you or me, in starting out in this canoe which we _borrowed_ for a short time.”
