used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
adjustmentnounUS /əˈdʒʌstmənt/
making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
eagerly desirous
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
bellowingnounUS /ˈbeloʊɪŋ/
a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
engrossedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈɡroʊst/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Forward it moved toward the shore, slowly, steadily.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Forward it moved toward the shore, slowly, steadily.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
megaphonenounUS /ˈmeɡəfoʊn/
a cone-shaped acoustic device held to the mouth to intensify and direct the human voice
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Forward it moved toward the shore, slowly, steadily.
in motion
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
select carefully from a group
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
picturedadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərd/
seen in the mind as a mental image
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
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 And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
free from harm or evil
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
search-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
(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 A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
at the time that
From this reading And they were bellowing through the megaphone to the anxious rescue party on the raft that they could not pick out the spot; they were engrossed in these futile activities when the search-light picked out something else—something moving slowly, steadily, toward shore.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A slight adjustment of the long column revealed a less ghastly picture, a picture the meaning of which scouts knew well enough.
a Caucasian
From this reading A face, ghastly white in the surrounding blackness, was pictured by the long, groping column of dusky light.
belonging to which person
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HOME RUN They were sweeping the nearer waters of the lake with the search-light whose limited range did not reach the scene of the disaster.
