used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
divisible by two
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
fowls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
a long fixed look
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
gleenounUS /ɡliː/
great merriment
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
come to pass
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
heavingnounUS /ˈhiːvɪŋ/
an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
hen-coop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
ten 10s
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
the force of workers available
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
onlookersnounUS /ˈɔːnlʊkərz/
plural of “onlooker” — someone who looks on
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
possessesverbUS /pəˈzesəz/
third-person singular of “possess” — have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
a person who is being chased
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/
characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
shudderverbUS /ˈʃʌdər/
shake, as from cold
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
squawksnounUS /skwɔːks/
plural of “squawk” — the noise of squawking
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
be standing; be upright
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
not in physical motion
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
terrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
thoughtlessadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːtləs/
showing lack of careful thought
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon the heaving bosom of the raging river, queer floating objects were to be discovered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
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 New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
at the time that
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
which person or people
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
in the company of; together with
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There must have been a couple of hundred people, men, women, and children, watching the raging torrent sweep past.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading New things were apt to happen at any time, as the water crept higher and higher, with the worst still to come.
but in spite of that
From this reading A flood possesses some sort of wonderful fascination over most persons, who will stand and gaze and even shudder, yet be unwilling to turn away.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Loud shouts, for instance, greeted the appearance of a hen-coop with a couple of terrified fowls perched on its roof; and great was the glee of the thoughtless onlookers when, at the crash of this strange craft against the bridge, the chickens with loud squawks flew to safety, and were pursued and caught by some of the younger lads.
