used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
breath-taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
buffetingnounUS /bəˈfeɪɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
DISOBEYS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK DISOBEYS ORDERS.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
hoarselyadverb
in a hoarse or husky voice
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
hulknounUS /hʌlk/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
a small worthless amount
From this reading JACK DISOBEYS ORDERS.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading JACK DISOBEYS ORDERS.
OutlinedadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪnd/
showing clearly the outline or profile or boundary
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
free from harm or evil
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
soundingadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/
appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
swimmernounUS /ˈswɪmər/
a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Outlined dimly in the distant gloom was the hulk of the steamer.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading Her whistle was shrieking hoarsely, now sounding, as the mate guessed, a recall to the rescue boat before darkness closed in.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Jack was a strong, able swimmer, but never had he received such a breath-taking buffeting as fell to his lot in that wild commotion of waters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But with grim determination he fought his way to the ship’s side.
