used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
at or in the front
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
clickedverbUS /klɪkt/
past form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
Dartaway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
at any time
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
a quick look
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
harpoonnounUS /hɑːrˈpuːn/
a spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
hurlverbUS /hɜːrl/
throw forcefully
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
Jerry'snounUS /ˈdʒeriz/
possessive form of “jerry” — offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
levernounUS /ˈlevər/
a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
a particular point in time
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
poisedadjectiveUS /pɔɪzd/
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
rachetnoun
mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
only a very short time before
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading As it clicked over the rachet the _Dartaway_ shot ahead.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
sparkingverbUS /ˈspɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “spark” — put in motion or move to act
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
move hurridly
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
having a supporting base
From this reading Sam, standing up in the bow, poised his arm to hurl the harpoon.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
TOWEDverbUS /toʊd/
past form of “tow” — drag behind
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
past form of “tremble” — move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways
From this reading Jerry’s hand trembled so he could scarcely send the sparking lever forward, to increase the speed of the craft.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading It was the first whale they had ever seen, and they never had expected to view one in its native element.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TOWED TO SEA With hearts that beat hard and fast in the excitement of the moment, the three boys stood up to catch a glimpse of the ocean monster.
