used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
(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 The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Only when it lightens," answered Blake.
any thing at all
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
BARGEverbUS /bɑːrdʒ/
push one's way
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
lacking funds
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
COTTONnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
crestnounUS /krest/
the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
depriveverbUS /dɪˈpraɪv/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
hold firmly
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Only when it lightens," answered Blake.
lightensverbUS /ˈlaɪtənz/
third-person singular of “lighten” — make more cheerful
From this reading "Only when it lightens," answered Blake.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
and nothing more
From this reading "Only when it lightens," answered Blake.
overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/
to extremes
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
pitchingnounUS /ˈpɪtʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of pitcher on a baseball team
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
raincoatnounUS /ˈreɪnkoʊt/
a water-resistant coat
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
Ringold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
a strong line
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Blake himself had nearly been carried overboard, so suddenly did the cable part, but he managed to grasp a rail and so saved himself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COTTON BARGE For a moment there was the utmost confusion aboard the craft.
at the time that
From this reading "Only when it lightens," answered Blake.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The words of Blake, the sudden motion as the rope broke, the tossing and pitching, as the boat was borne on the crest of the flood, seemed to deprive them all of the ability to act.
yelledadjectiveUS /jeld/
in a vehement outcry
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Can you see anything?" yelled Mr. Ringold, as he was struggling into his raincoat.
