used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
anew
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
(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 “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
CANYONnounUS /ˈkænjən/
a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading THE TERRORS OF THE CANYON.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
exertedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrtɪd/
past form of “exert” — put to use
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
exertionsnounUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrʃənz/
plural of “exertion” — use of physical or mental energy; hard work
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
a long fixed look
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
in a gradual manner
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TERRORS OF THE CANYON.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
precisely, exactly
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
make steady
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
happening unexpectedly
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
carry out
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
TERRORSnounUS /ˈterərz/
plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading THE TERRORS OF THE CANYON.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TERRORS OF THE CANYON.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
at the time that
From this reading For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon.
