used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
(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 "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
disgustedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡʌstəd/
having a strong distaste from surfeit
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
flatsnounUS /flæts/
footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
brought together in one place
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
GAUGEverbUS /ɡeɪdʒ/
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
gruntedverbUS /ˈɡrʌntɪd/
past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
inventverbUS /ˌɪnˈvent/
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
Jud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
sandbars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
stickyadjectiveUS /ˈstɪki/
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
carry out
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
thing'snounUS /θɪŋz/
possessive form of “thing” — a special situation
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
hard to endure
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But of course he did not mean to give up trying to get the boat off.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Paul had stopped the motor, since it seemed useless.
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 WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We seem to take to sandbars and mud flats today to beat the band."
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading WHAT THE WATER GAUGE SHOWED "Well, here is a pretty kettle of fish!" grunted the disgusted Jud.
at the time that
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading "One thing's sure," he said, positively, when the others gathered around him, as if in this emergency they looked to the scout master to invent some method of beating the sticky mud at its own game; "every minute we stay here makes it all the worse for us."
