used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT IN AN OPEN BOAT.
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
Aleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A NIGHT IN AN OPEN BOAT.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What should be done?
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading A NIGHT IN AN OPEN BOAT.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading What should be done?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A NIGHT IN AN OPEN BOAT.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
Katy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT IN AN OPEN BOAT.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
and nothing more
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A NIGHT IN AN OPEN BOAT.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
by chance
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What should be done?
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
hard to endure
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
except if; if not
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Aleck was sure that their only chance for life lay in getting the boat afloat; but unless it could be brought nearer the edge this could not be done, and perhaps it was impossible, anyway.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What should be done?
in or at the place that
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Katy and Jim climbed into the boat, and crouched down out of the snow, while the larger lads stood outside trying to find some way out of their desperate situation.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet to stay where they were meant destruction.
