used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
next to; at the side of
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
without doubt or question
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
denialnounUS /dɪˈnaɪəl/
the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
DotnounUS /dɑːt/
a very small circular shape
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
one or the other of two
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
at any time
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
a young female
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
GRAMPUSnoun
predatory black-and-white toothed whale with large dorsal fin; common in cold seas
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
GROANnounUS /ɡroʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
high-shouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
marineadjectiveUS /mərˈiːn/
of or relating to the sea
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
not any; not one
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
outlinesnounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnz/
plural of “outline” — the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
puffedadjectiveUS /pʌft/
gathered for protruding fullness
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
in the near future
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
speechlessadjectiveUS /ˈspiːtʃləs/
temporarily incapable of speaking
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
starlightnounUS /ˈstɑːrlaɪt/
the light of the stars
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
Tess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nothing like this beast had either girl ever imagined.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading No denial could be made of its voice, for it puffed out a most astonishing sigh.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its glistening, high-shouldered body was a most mysterious sight, that was true.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading THE GROAN OF A GRAMPUS The startled and sleepy children beside the pool on the smaller island clung together in speechless terror for the few minutes following their being aroused by the marine “ghost” that had risen through the waters.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The starlight was so vivid, however, that soon Tess and Dot were able to distinguish the outlines of the beast more clearly.
