used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
ADRIFTadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE PACIFIC.
(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 But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
not accessible to view
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
DaytonnounUS /ˈdeɪtən/
a city in southwest Ohio; manufacturing center
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
only a very short time before
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
heeledverbUS /hiːld/
past form of “heel” — tilt to one side
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE PACIFIC.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
ovennounUS /ˈʌvən/
kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
PACIFICnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE PACIFIC.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
puffverbUS /pʌf/
smoke and exhale strongly
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
spelledverbUS /speld/
past form of “spell” — orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
splittingadjectiveUS /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
possessing sweep
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE PACIFIC.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The schooner heeled sharply, throwing Nat the length of the boat in which he was concealed.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
a message informing of danger
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a sharp warning shout from forward, followed by a splitting, tearing sound.
at the time that
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A sharp puff of wind--hot as if from an opened oven door--swept over the sea and passed on.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But hardly had Dayton started on the errand which would have spelled disaster to the hopes of Nat and his friend when something happened that, for the time being at least, put all other thoughts out of their heads.
