used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
(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 All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
attainingverbUS /əˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “attain” — to gain with effort
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
corrugatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrəɡeɪtɪd/
shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
detritusnounUS /dɪˈtraɪtəs/
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
doomverbUS /duːm/
decree or designate beforehand
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
one or the other of two
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
at any time
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
furlongnounUS /ˈfɜːrlɔːŋ/
a unit of length equal to 220 yards
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
groundedverbUS /ˈɡraʊndɪd/
past form of “ground” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
heavedverbUS /hiːvd/
past form of “heave” — utter a sound, as with obvious effort
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
impetuouslyadverb
in an impulsive or impetuous way; without taking cautions
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
immediately past
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
leadsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
lurkedverbUS /lɜːrkt/
past form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
MississippinounUS /ˌmɪsɪˈsɪpi/
a major North American river and the chief river of the United States; rises in northern Minnesota and flows southward into the Gulf of Mexico
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
plummetverbUS /ˈplʌmət/
drop sharply
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
projectionnounUS /prəˈdʒekʃən/
a prediction made by extrapolating from past observations
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
proportionsnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “proportion” — the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
one of four equal parts
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
racedverbUS /reɪst/
past form of “race” — move hurridly
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
ripplingnounUS /ˈrɪpəlɪŋ/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
sand-bar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
siltnounUS /sɪlt/
mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
sounding-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
steamboatnounUS /ˈstiːmboʊt/
a boat propelled by a steam engine
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
strandedadjectiveUS /ˈstrændɪd/
cut off or left behind
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
submergedadjectiveUS /səbˈmɜːrdʒd/
beneath the surface of the water
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
surgingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrdʒɪŋ/
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
moving very fast
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
swirlsnounUS /swɜːrlz/
plural of “swirl” — the shape of something rotating rapidly
From this reading The surging swirls of the swift current raced impetuously on either side.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Scarcely a furlong distant on that corrugated, rippling surface the leadsman had heaved the plummet of the sounding-line at “deep four.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
up to a particular time
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
tow-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless the craft had grounded here on a submerged projection of a “tow-head” built of silt and detritus by the ever shifting Mississippi, attaining dangerous proportions since the last run of the boat.
twainnounUS /tweɪn/
two items of the same kind
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
not known
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
unsuspectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪd/
not suspected or believed likely
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All unknown and unsuspected it lurked till “quarter less twain” was sung out, but the next cry of the leadsman smote the air like the sound of doom.
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 Dead low water and there the steamboat lay on the sand-bar, stranded and helpless.
