used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
Bo-o-om
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Bo-o-om!”
BolivarnounUS /ˈbɑːləvər/
the basic unit of money in Venezuela; equal to 100 centimos
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
chemicaladjectiveUS /ˈkeməkəl/
relating to or used in chemistry
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
deliberationnounUS /dɪˌlɪbərˈeɪʃən/
(usually plural) discussion of all sides of a question
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
dissolventnoun
a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
exposingverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊzɪŋ/
-ing form of “expose” — expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
heeledverbUS /hiːld/
past form of “heel” — tilt to one side
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
keelnounUS /kiːl/
a projection or ridge that suggests a keel
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
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 Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
meltverbUS /melt/
reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
rightedverbUS /ˈraɪtɪd/
past form of “right” — make reparations or amends for
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
done under pressure
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
transport commercially
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
strickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
subtleadjectiveUS /ˈsʌtəl/
difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
torpedonounUS /tɔːrˈpiːdoʊ/
a professional killer who uses a gun
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
wallowingverbUS /ˈwɑːloʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “wallow” — devote oneself entirely to something; indulge in to an immoderate degree, usually with pleasure
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
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 For an instant she floated on the surface--half a ship--steam and smoke pouring from her as the water rushed into her engine rooms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then, with the utmost deliberation--as if she were making up her mind to it, in fact--the _Bolivar_ righted herself and began to crawl, like a stricken animal, toward the shore.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, with a wallowing motion, like a stricken bull sinking to its knees, she staggered and heeled partially over, exposing her keel.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading As if some subtle dissolvent chemical had been suddenly applied to them, the stern works of the _Bolivar_ appeared to melt away as the torpedo struck her.
