Sinking
['sɪŋkɪŋ]
Definition
(noun.) a slow fall or decline (as for lack of strength); 'after several hours of sinking an unexpected rally rescued the market'; 'he could not control the sinking of his legs'.
(noun.) a descent as through liquid (especially through water); 'they still talk about the sinking of the Titanic'.
(noun.) a feeling caused by uneasiness or apprehension; 'with a sinking heart'; 'a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach'.
Checked by Horatio--From WordNet
Definition
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sink
(-) a. & n. from Sink.
Typist: Murray
Examples
- Instead, he walked toward the bench, and, sinking down upon it, remained lost in deep thought for hours. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- While Alexander was overrunning Western Asia, China, under the last priest-emperors of the Chow Dynasty, was sinking into a state of great disorder. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- And with this, feeling that he could say no more, Dobbin went away, Osborne sinking back in his chair, and looking wildly after him. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He felt himself dissolving and sinking to rest in the bath of her living strength. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- They then sat down, and when her inquiries after Rosings were made, seemed in danger of sinking into total silence. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Here we debated the wisdom of sinking the craft before leaving her, but finally decided that it would add nothing to our chances for escape. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- Never shall I forget the Duke's appearance as he sprang up and clawed with his hands, like one who is sinking into an abyss. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- A little while afterwards, when he appeared to be sinking into insensibility, she said, in a calm loving voice: 'Eugene, my dear husband! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- At moments she was a Calvinist, and, sinking into the gulf of religious despair, she saw darkening over her the doom of reprobation. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And with a coachman up in front, sinking down into a seat big enough for three of him, all covered with upholstery in green and white! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I am sinking faSt. In my state of health I must take things for granted. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- And the violent striking of blood in his chest was sinking quieter, allowing his mind to come back. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- And betwixt ourselves,' sinking his voice lower yet, 'that woman's name ain't Missis Gummidge neither, though she has a world of merits. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- For the first few days, I had no choice but to give way to my elders and betters; the patient steadily sinking all the time. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Hence the usual misapplication of the sinking fund. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
Checker: Wade