used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
anew
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
balustersnoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
clutchingverbUS /ˈklʌtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “clutch” — take hold of; grab
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
coastsnounUS /koʊsts/
plural of “coast” — the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
crashesnounUS /ˈkræʃɪz/
plural of “crash” — a loud resonant repeating noise
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
crockerynounUS /ˈkrɑːkəri/
tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
disablednounUS /dɪˈseɪbəld/
people collectively who are crippled or otherwise physically handicapped
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
freshenedverbUS /ˈfreʃənd/
past form of “freshen” — make (to feel) fresh
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
frightfullyadverbUS /ˈfraɪtfəli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
lurchverbUS /lɜːrtʃ/
walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
Pitferge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
poopnounUS /puːp/
obscene terms for feces
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
qualifyverbUS /ˈkwɑːləfaɪ/
prove capable or fit; meet requirements
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The place was deserted, if one may so qualify a place where was Dr. Pitferge.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
staircasenounUS /ˈsterkeɪs/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
steam-ship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading By clutching at the balusters, and taking advantage of a lurch or two, I succeeded in climbing the steps, and with some difficulty managed to reach the poop.
the topmost one of two
From this reading At six o’clock in the morning I dragged myself to the staircase, leading on to the upper decks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
in or at the place that
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind had evidently freshened, and besides this the “Great Eastern” was now in those coasts where the sea is always rough.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The night was stormy, the steam-ship, beaten by the waves, rolled frightfully, without being disabled; the furniture was knocked about with loud crashes, and the crockery began its clatter again.
