used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
anew
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
bulwarknounUS /ˈbʊlwərk/
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
confusingadjectiveUS /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
causing confusion or disorientation
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
failingnounUS /ˈfeɪlɪŋ/
a flaw or weak point
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
finnounUS /fɪn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
gleamsnounUS /ɡliːmz/
plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
jugnounUS /dʒʌɡ/
a large bottle with a narrow mouth
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
and nothing more
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
LashingnounUS /ˈlæʃɪŋ/
beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
for more time
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
Mahoney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
used to form the superlative
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
not any; not one
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
on one occasion
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
phosphorescentadjective
emitting light without appreciable heat as by slow oxidation of phosphorous
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
reflectionsnounUS /rɪˈflekʃənz/
plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
a safe place
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
speedingnounUS /ˈspiːdɪŋ/
changing location rapidly
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
steam-yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
strugglingadjectiveUS /ˈstrʌɡəlɪŋ/
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading Again he started up shouting, and struggling fiercely with the bonds that held him safely to the bulwark.
swellsnounUS /swelz/
plural of “swell” — the undulating movement of the surface of the open sea
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Lashing himself to the bulwark by the sleeves of his shirt, he snatched an hour or two of troubled sleep.
unaccountablyadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbli/
in an unaccountable manner
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
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 Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
a Caucasian
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
windlessadjective
without or almost without wind
From this reading The night fell windless and clear; and for a time, so black were the shifting reflections on the swells, so confusing the phosphorescent gleams that shot up through the waters, that Mahoney could no longer see the stealthy prowling of the great black fin.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Once he woke with a shock of disappointment from a dream that the bottom had fallen out of a jug of water which he was just raising to his lips.
but in spite of that
From this reading He had dreamed that a glittering white steam-yacht was speeding close past his refuge,--so close that he had to look up at her rail,--yet the people on her deck most unaccountably failing to see him.
