used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
deservesverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrvz/
third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
life-preserver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
life-preservers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
a woman of refinement
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
not any; not one
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
and nothing more
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
preventedverbUS /prɪˈventɪd/
past form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
the act of punishing
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
rackverbUS /ræk/
go at a rack
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
in the near future
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/
with sternness; in a severe manner
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading As they reached the surface he handed each a life-preserver, and soon they were all swimming safely on the surface of a placid green sea.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
directed up
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Such carelessness deserves the utmost punishment, for now our boat is gone."
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND As the boat was blown from under them, the passengers thought the end had come and that they must be drowned far beneath the sea; and only the great skill and presence of mind of the Private Secretary prevented their meeting this fate.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
in or at the place that
From this reading But as they were starting upward, carried by the violence of the explosion, the Private Secretary caught at the rack where the life-preservers were hanging, and so saved their lives.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "Madam," said the Private Secretary sternly, "that we are not all killed is no fault of yours.
