used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CITY OF A VANISHED RACE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
balanceverbUS /ˈbæləns/
bring into balance or equilibrium
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
of short duration or distance
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE CITY OF A VANISHED RACE.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
Ding-dongnounUS /ˈdɪŋˈdɔːŋ/
the noise made by a bell
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
downwardadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnwərd/
extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
divisible by two
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
moleculenounUS /ˈmɑːləkjuːl/
(physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
networknounUS /ˈnetwɜːrk/
an interconnected system of things or people
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CITY OF A VANISHED RACE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
by chance
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
any competition
From this reading THE CITY OF A VANISHED RACE.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
get by special effort
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
self-preservationnoun
preservation of yourself from harm; a natural or instinctive tendency
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
shakyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪki/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
term of address for a man
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CITY OF A VANISHED RACE.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he felt himself lose his balance, he clung to the network of the rail, and hung there head downward between the sky and the earth for one instant.
having passed out of existence
From this reading THE CITY OF A VANISHED RACE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But that brief molecule of time was enough for Joe and Nat to secure his feet, as they flashed over the rail, and drag him back on board.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
a Caucasian
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
which person or people
From this reading “Go to the cabin, sir,” ordered the professor, who was white and shaky, as, indeed, were the others.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But even in that instant of deadly peril, Ding-dong did not lose his presence of mind, or, perhaps, instinct of self-preservation would be a better phrase.
