used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
aboardadverbUS /əˈbɔːrd/
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
(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 I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
any thing at all
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
for the reason that
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "But how _could_ you be?"
demanding attention
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
dinghynounUS /ˈdɪŋi/
a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
apart from; not including
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
Greg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
come to pass
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But how _could_ you be?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
JerrynounUS /ˈdʒeri/
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
not one, and not any
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
by chance
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
slidy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
slippyadjective
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
not in physical motion
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
up to a particular time
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
look attentively
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But the dinghy was real and so were the slippy slidy wet rocks, and I had to watch what I was about and not go staring in astonishment at our man.
at the time that
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading We all had to be careful about the rocks, and that's why none of us said anything till we were in the dinghy, except for one gasp of astonishment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jerry and I asked together when we all were safely aboard, with our man in the stern holding Greg carefully.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I thought that perhaps it might be a dream after all, because that's the way things happen in dreams, and that I would wake up and find it still night and the rain splashing down and poor Greg crying.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But how _could_ you be?"
