used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
eagerly desirous
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt.
boilernounUS /ˈbɔɪlər/
sealed vessel where water is converted to steam
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
fastenverbUS /ˈfæsən/
cause to be firmly attached
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
set up or found
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
brought together in one place
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
depressingly dark
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
heavedverbUS /hiːvd/
past form of “heave” — utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
the act of retaining something
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
hoveringverbUS /ˈhʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
life-boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
life-preserver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
set afire or burning
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
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 His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
a particular point in time
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
a form of address for a man
From this reading As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
a human being
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
preservernounUS /priˈzɜːrvər/
a skilled worker who is employed to restore or refinish buildings or antique furniture
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
Rosevelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
cut with a saw
From this reading As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt.
scanningnounUS /ˈskænɪŋ/
the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the season of growth
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading His face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.
unharmedadjectiveUS /ənˈhɑːrmd/
not injured or harmed
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
precisely as stated
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands.
which person or people
From this reading Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
