used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
(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 The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
boatswain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
brokernounUS /ˈbroʊkər/
a businessman who buys or sells for another in exchange for a commission
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
rid of obstructions
From this reading CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
echoedverbUS /ˈekoʊd/
past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
flagshipnounUS /ˈflæɡʃɪp/
the chief one of a related group
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION.
set up or found
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
jokingadjectiveUS /ˈdʒoʊkɪŋ/
characterized by jokes and good humor
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
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 The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
mate's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
the force of workers available
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
obediencenounUS /oʊˈbiːdiəns/
the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
pipingnounUS /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/
a thin strip of covered cord used to edge hems
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
transport commercially
From this reading CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
having a supporting base
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
talentnounUS /ˈtælənt/
natural abilities or qualities
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The boatswain's mate's shrill piping and the long drawn out cry, "All hands clear ship for action!" was not entirely unexpected.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the time the call sounded a number of us were standing in the port waist idly watching the fleet and the shore.
at the time that
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
belonging to which person
From this reading "Bill," a member of the powder division, whose father is a prominent real estate broker of New York, and whose great talent is for practical joking and general fun making, was telling a story.
Yankee'snounUS /ˈjæŋkiz/
possessive form of “yankee” — an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading An unusual activity on the part of the signal men on the flagship "New York" had not escaped our notice, and when the summons to prepare for battle echoed through the "Yankee's" decks it found us in readiness for prompt obedience.
