used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a signal.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
from appearances alone
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
the two together, not just one
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
someone who is a detective
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
duckedverbUS /dʌkt/
past form of “duck” — to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
divisible by two
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
only a very short time before
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a signal.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
keen-eyedadjective
having keen eyesight
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
immediately past
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
leafyadjectiveUS /ˈliːfi/
having or covered with leaves
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
Mutaba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
paddlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
with speed
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
relayedverbUS /ˈriːleɪd/
past form of “relay” — pass along
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading It was a signal.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
slowedverbUS /sloʊd/
past form of “slow” — lose velocity; move more slowly
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
SOLOMON'SnounUS /ˈsɑːləmənz/
possessive form of “solomon” — (Old Testament) son of David and king of Israel noted for his wisdom (10th century BC)
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
spiedverbUS /spaɪd/
inflected form of “spy” — catch sight of
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading KING SOLOMON'S CROWN Suddenly Mutaba raised both arms above his head and opened and closed his hands rapidly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
trackernounUS /ˈtrækər/
someone who tracks down game
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The paddlers in the following canoes slowed down and the leader in each little vessel relayed the silent order until the last boat had received it.
vinesnounUS /vaɪnz/
plural of “vine” — a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a signal.
at the time that
From this reading The keen-eyed jungle tracker had spied an opening in the wall of trees and vines that Dick and his friend could hardly see, even when the canoe was making straight for it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Apparently the little vessel which was headed right across the stream was about to run its nose into the bank, but at a muttered warning from Mutaba the crew ducked low and the canoe glided under a leafy fringe and entered a creek that allowed free passage.
