used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
from appearances alone
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
beaconnounUS /ˈbiːkən/
a fire (usually on a hill or tower) that can be seen from a distance
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
calciumnounUS /ˈkælsiəm/
a white metallic element that burns with a brilliant light; the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust; an important component of most plants and animals
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
centeredadjectiveUS /ˈsentərd/
being or placed in the center
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
concentratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪd/
gathered together or made less diffuse
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
psychological suffering
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
FramedadjectiveUS /freɪmd/
provided with a frame
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
gasolenenoun
a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
the force of workers available
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
on one occasion
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
Perkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
searchlightnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Its comforting beam shot across the sea, and finally ceased its swaying and centered on a strange sight.
switchedverbUS /swɪtʃt/
past form of “switch” — change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As he flew his craft in the direction of the feeble beacon of distress, Dr. Perkins once more switched on the searchlight.
theaternounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading As a dark scene in a theater is illumined at one single point by the calcium light, so the search rays concentrated themselves on a striking picture of distress at sea.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
the upper part of anything
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
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 Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At any rate nothing of the hull but a narrow white strip could be seen, while, on the top of the raised deck cabin crouched the figures of three men.
a Caucasian
From this reading Framed in the circle of white light the boys could see a small gasolene craft, apparently up to the rails in the water.
