used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
(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 An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
make calm or still
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
Derek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
Derek's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
dippedadjectiveUS /dɪpt/
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
dispelledverbUS /dɪˈspeld/
inflected form of “dispel” — force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/
an abstract part of something
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
ErrornounUS /ˈerər/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
healthsome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
inadequateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnædəkwət/
lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
liftingverbUS /ˈlɪftɪŋ/
-ing form of “lift” — raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
engage in
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
motorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
on one occasion
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
presagedverbUS /ˈpresɪdʒd/
past form of “presage” — indicate, as with a sign or an omen
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
pulsations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
resentmentnounUS /rɪˈzentmənt/
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
sea-plane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
in the near future
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
make steady
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
throttleverbUS /ˈθrɑːtəl/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
townounUS /toʊ/
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
in the direction of
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
towingverbUS /ˈtoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “tow” — drag behind
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
towing-hawser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
unwieldyadjectiveUS /ənˈwiːldi/
difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
having passed out of existence
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading An Error of Judgment A lifting fog, a calm sea, and the sun shining brightly overhead, all presaged a successful voyage.
Wagshot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The bright, healthsome feeling of being afloat once more dispelled the hideous nightmare of damp concrete walls, hard beds, and inadequate food.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It soon became apparent that the task of towing the sea-plane was not so easy as Derek imagined.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the first pulsations of the motors Derek's feelings of resentment towards the Wagshot Air Station vanished.
yawed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unwieldy machine--for out of its natural element it was unwieldy--yawed, dipped, and strained at the towing-hawser until Derek ordered the second boat to make fast astern of the sea-plane and run at half throttle in order to steady the awkward tow.
