used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
agoneadjective
gone by; or in the past
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
ChinesenounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
derelictadjectiveUS /ˈderəlɪkt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
estimatenounUS /ˈestəmət/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
executedadjectiveUS /ˈeksəkjuːtɪd/
put to death as punishment
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
the point or degree to which something extends
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/
past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
leakingverbUS /ˈliːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “leak” — tell anonymously
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
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 We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
engage in
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
matchwoodnoun
wood in small pieces or splinters
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
not any; not one
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
overhangnounUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋ/
projection that extends beyond or hangs over something else
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
ruddernounUS /ˈrʌdər/
a hinged vertical airfoil mounted at the tail of an aircraft and used to make horizontal course changes
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
at the time that
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
