used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
at or in the front
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading He waved his arms frantically in warning to the blacks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
basalticadjective
of or relating to or containing basalt
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
blacksnounUS /blæks/
plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
lacking funds
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
CLUTCHnounUS /klʌtʃ/
the act of grasping
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
franticallyadverbUS /ˈfræntəkəli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading He waved his arms frantically in warning to the blacks.
made afraid
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He waved his arms frantically in warning to the blacks.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He waved his arms frantically in warning to the blacks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
inshoreadjectiveUS /ˈɪnˈʃɔːr/
(of winds) coming from the sea toward the land
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
a small worthless amount
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
Kikuyus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
for more time
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
raftnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
RIVER'SnounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
cut with a saw
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
shorewardadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrwərd/
(of winds) coming from the sea toward the land
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
spouters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading “Back, back,” shouted Jack, stationed on the shoreward side of the raft.
steeringnounUS /ˈstɪrɪŋ/
the act of guiding or showing the way
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
sweatingnounUS /ˈswetɪŋ/
the process of the sweat glands of the skin secreting a salty fluid
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
a special situation
From this reading IN THE RIVER’S CLUTCH The raft leaped forward like a thing alive.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
unwieldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Frightened cries broke from the blacks as they saw the spouters ahead, saw too the black teeth of the basaltic rocks waiting to tear them.
a message informing of danger
From this reading He waved his arms frantically in warning to the blacks.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading He waved his arms frantically in warning to the blacks.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Kikuyus sweating at the steering oar were unable to point the unwieldly craft inshore any longer.
