used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
bruisesnounUS /ˈbruːzəz/
plural of “bruise” — an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
canoeistnounUS /kəˈnuːəst/
someone paddling a canoe
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
canoeists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
apart from; not including
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
featnounUS /fiːt/
a notable achievement
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
floatverbUS /floʊt/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
fortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
set up or found
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
Harry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
a particular point in time
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
not any; not one
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
and nothing more
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/
to extremes
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
scrapedverbUS /skreɪpt/
past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
be standing; be upright
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Each canoeist seized the stern of his own canoe, and let it drag him down the rest of the rapid, which fortunately was a short one.
sternsnounUS /stɜːrnz/
plural of “stern” — the rear part of a ship
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
possessing sweep
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
moving very fast
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They found that they could, although they had to move slowly to avoid being swept off their feet.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
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 When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
at the time that
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading When the boys were compelled to jump overboard they could see that the water was only about two feet deep; but they did not know whether they could stand up against the fierce current.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Harry’s canoe was easily pushed off the rock on which it had run, and the moment it was out of the way the other canoes were free.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While performing this feat the knees of the canoeists were scraped over the rocks, and they received several unpleasant bruises; but they thought it was impossible to get into their canoes in swift water, and so had no choice except to float down hanging on to the sterns of the canoes.
