used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
a youthful male person
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
couriernounUS /ˈkɜːriər/
a person who carries a message
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
DOCKnounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
freaknounUS /friːk/
a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
ineffectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuːəl/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
and nothing more
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
in motion
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
by chance
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
plotnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
prospectiveadjectiveUS /prəˈspektɪv/
of or concerned with or related to the future
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
be standing; be upright
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
swoopedverbUS /swuːpt/
past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
vagrantnounUS /ˈveɪɡrənt/
a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
at the time that
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He made an ineffectual effort to seize upon it in the air, but missed it and had to stand there, while the paper floated far out over the river, to fall finally on the moving current.
whiskedverbUS /wɪskt/
past form of “whisk” — move somewhere quickly
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
which person or people
From this reading Before the boy who was stooping over could touch the paper that had attracted his attention it was whisked suddenly away.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Just when their clever little plot seemed on the point of working, a freak of fate had dashed his hopes to the ground.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading DOCK GOES FROM BAD TO WORSE Just at that instant, as luck would have it, a vagrant gust of wind, perhaps an advance courier of the prospective storm, swooped down across the road.
wringingverbUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “wring” — twist and press out of shape
From this reading Carl quivered with another feeling besides anxiety and suspense; keen disappointment was wringing his heart cruelly.
