used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
agroundadjectiveUS /əˈɡraʊnd/
stuck in a place where a ship can no longer float
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
AlongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
in addition
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Ralph was recalled from his observations by a voice behind him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
one or the other of two
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
flashesnounUS /ˈflæʃɪz/
plural of “flash” — a sudden intense burst of radiant energy
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ralph was recalled from his observations by a voice behind him.
groundedverbUS /ˈɡraʊndɪd/
past form of “ground” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ralph was recalled from his observations by a voice behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading Ralph was recalled from his observations by a voice behind him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
outwardadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtwərd/
relating to physical reality rather than with thoughts or the mind
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Ralph was recalled from his observations by a voice behind him.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
Rue's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
done under pressure
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
not in physical motion
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
SwallowverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊ/
pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
swirlingverbUS /ˈswɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading Alongside nothing could be seen but swirling, rushing foam.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
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 Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Ralph was recalled from his observations by a voice behind him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Trees and rocks could be made out by the frequent flashes, which showed, also, that the _River Swallow_ had grounded bow on, and was now swinging outward with the current.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But suddenly a flash revealed to Ralph the fact that they had run aground on the point of either an island or the mainland, he could not, for the time being, determine which.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With La Rue’s cry still ringing in his ears, Ralph rushed to the edge of the bridge and peered over.
