used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
the state of being absent
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
Bullard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
placed crosswise
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
DrakenounUS /dreɪk/
English explorer and admiral who was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe and who helped to defeat the Spanish Armada (1540-1596)
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
set up or found
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
gesturesnounUS /ˈdʒestʃərz/
plural of “gesture” — motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
GlennounUS /ɡlen/
a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains)
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
the act of departing
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
an established custom
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
ten 10s
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
idlenessnounUS /ˈaɪdəlnəs/
having no employment
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
intimateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntəmət/
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
and nothing more
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
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 He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
used to form the superlative
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
not any; not one
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
REDCOATnounUS /ˈredkoʊt/
British soldier; so-called because of his red coat (especially during the American Revolution)
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
RedcoatsnounUS /ˈredkoʊts/
plural of “redcoat” — British soldier; so-called because of his red coat (especially during the American Revolution)
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
cut with a saw
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
express in words
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
thirteennounUS /ˈθɜːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
male cat
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
ToriesnounUS /ˈtɔːriːz/
plural of “tory” — an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
townsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
water-front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
WharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading He crossed just in time to hear one of the sailors say: “I was down at Long Wharf and saw them go early this morning--more than two hundred Redcoats in thirteen boats!”
wharves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A REDCOAT GETS WET In the absence of Glen Drake, Don had formed the habit of going down to the wharves and watching the great ships that lay in forced idleness.
at the time that
From this reading On the first day of September, Don was on his way to the water-front when he observed an excited group of sailors and townsmen on the opposite side of the street; they were talking loudly and making violent gestures with their hands.
WhigsnounUS /wɪɡz/
plural of “whig” — a member of the political party that urged social reform in 18th and 19th century England; was the opposition party to the Tories
From this reading The boys that he knew were divided sharply between Whigs and Tories, though most of them were Whigs like himself.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So far he had found no one with whom he could be as intimate as he had been with Tom Bullard; so he spent much of his time alone.
