used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
abatedverbUS /əˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “abate” — make less active or intense
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
(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 Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
inflected form of “bear” — have
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
coastingverbUS /ˈkoʊstɪŋ/
-ing form of “coast” — move effortlessly; by force of gravity
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He was convinced that they had come down on the desert itself.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading He was convinced that they had come down on the desert itself.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
dazedadjectiveUS /deɪzd/
in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
destroyingverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
dizzyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪzi/
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
ElegantadjectiveUS /ˈeləɡənt/
refined and tasteful in appearance or behavior or style
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
ElephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
opinion or judgment
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was convinced that they had come down on the desert itself.
joltingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊltɪŋ/
causing or characterized by jolts and irregular movements
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
and nothing more
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
Kabumpo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
immediately past
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
not in physical motion
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
and nothing more
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
parachutenounUS /ˈperəʃuːt/
rescue equipment consisting of a device that fills with air and retards your fall
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
by chance
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
RandyadjectiveUS /ˈrændi/
feeling great sexual desire
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
RememberingnounUS /rɪˈmembərɪŋ/
the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
stifflyadverbUS /ˈstɪfli/
in a stiff manner
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
tarpaulinnoun
waterproofed canvas
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was convinced that they had come down on the desert itself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
up to a particular time
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Other Side of the Desert Remembering the deadly and destroying nature of the sands below, Randy did not dare to look down.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
(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 Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
in or at the place that
From this reading Besides, holding on took all his strength and attention, for Kabumpo was borne like a leaf before the howling gale, faster and faster and faster, till he and Randy were too dazed and dizzy to know or care how far they had gone or where they were blowing to.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Which was perhaps just as well, for, as suddenly as it had risen, the gale abated and, coasting down the last high hill of the wind, saved from a serious crash only by his faithful tarpaulin, which now acted as a parachute, Kabumpo came jolting to earth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
showing curiosity
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With closed eyes and trunk held stiffly before him, the Elegant Elephant remained perfectly motionless awaiting destruction and wondering vaguely how it would feel.
