used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
ARROWnounUS /ˈæroʊ/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
beardedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪrdəd/
having hair on the cheeks and chin
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
bladesnounUS /bleɪdz/
plural of “blade” — especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
BrazilianadjectiveUS /brəˈzɪljən/
of or relating to or characteristic of Brazil or the people of Brazil
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
bronzedadjectiveUS /brɑːnzd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
bulknounUS /bʌlk/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
bushmennounUS /ˈbʊʃmen/
plural of “bushman” — nomadic hunters and gatherers who live in southern Africa
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
buttressesnounUS /ˈbʌtrəsəz/
plural of “buttress” — a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
dimnessnoun
the state of being poorly illuminated
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
depressingly dark
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
interlacedadjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈleɪst/
having a pattern of fretwork or latticework
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
lianas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
loftyadjectiveUS /ˈlɔːfti/
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
loopingnounUS /ˈluːpɪŋ/
(computer science) executing the same set of instructions a given number of times or until a specified result is obtained
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
meaninglessadjectiveUS /ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
having no meaning or direction or purpose
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
the force of workers available
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
nosedadjectiveUS /noʊzd/
having a nose (either literal or metaphoric) especially of a specified kind
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
and nothing more
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
over-arched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
paddlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
paddlesnounUS /ˈpædəlz/
plural of “paddle” — small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
pausesnounUS /ˈpɔːzəz/
plural of “pause” — a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
propelledverbUS /prəˈpeld/
inflected form of “propel” — cause to move forward with force
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
recurrentadjectiveUS /rɪˈkɜːrənt/
recurring again and again
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
right-handadjectiveUS /raɪtˈhænd/
located on or directed toward the right
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
cut with a saw
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
the act of searching for something
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
without speaking
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
slow-dipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
trailingnounUS /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
trionounUS /ˈtriːoʊ/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The second, carrying three bronzed and bearded men of another continent, was only trailing the leader.
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 THE ARROW Slowly, silently, two canoes glided along the still, dark water of a gloomy creek over-arched by the interlaced limbs of lofty trees.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading In this dimness and bewildering chaos the trio might as well have been blind.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
which person or people
From this reading It moved and paused like the first, but the recurrent scrutiny of the farther gloom by its paddlers was that of men who saw only a meaningless, monotonous bulk of buttresses and trunks and tangle of looping lianas.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The first, propelled by the slow-dipping blades of two Brazilian bushmen, seemed to be seeking something; for it nosed along with frequent pauses of the paddles, during which it drifted almost to a stop while its crew searched the solemn jungle depths reaching away from the right-hand shore.
