used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
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 fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
placed in a grave
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
chaoticadjectiveUS /keɪˈɑːtɪk/
lacking a visible order or organization
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
collidingverbUS /kəˈlaɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “collide” — be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
foamingadjectiveUS /ˈfoʊmɪŋ/
emitting or filled with bubbles as from carbonation or fermentation
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
hawsernoun
large heavy rope for nautical use
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
engage in
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
MerlinnounUS /ˈmɜːrlɪn/
(Arthurian legend) the magician who acted as King Arthur's advisor
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
a particular point in time
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
momentaryadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊmənteri/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no wind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
move hurridly
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no wind.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
towingverbUS /ˈtoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “tow” — drag behind
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
the act of using
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “To be Returned in Due Course” The situation was desperate.
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 Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading There was no wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The fiercely flapping canvas was useless; equally out of the question was it to attempt to make use of the oars, for at one moment the blades would be high in the air, at another buried by the rush of the irregular and foaming waves.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading The _Merlin_ was now a source of peril to the yacht she had done her best to aid.
yachtsnounUS /jɑːts/
plural of “yacht” — an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Held by the towing hawser, the two yachts were in momentary danger of colliding as they swung round almost parallel to each other and with less than five yards of chaotic water between them.
