used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
(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 Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
boarding-party
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
DEPOTnounUS /ˈdiːpoʊ/
station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
start firing a weapon
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
inletnounUS /ˈɪnlet/
an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
for more time
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
marinesnounUS /mərˈiːnz/
an amphibious division of the United States Navy
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
the force of workers available
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
with speed
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
simultaneouslyadverbUS /ˌsaɪməlˈteɪniəsli/
at the same instant
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
a person who is owned by someone
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
in the near future
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
SpaniardsnounUS /ˈspænjərdz/
plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The two boats under the second officer entered first, rowed up the inlet to the bend, and landed the marines and sailors on the opposite side; the boarding-party lay on their oars for five minutes and then followed.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A SLAVE DEPOT Night fell rapidly as soon as the sun had set, and by the time the boats reached the mouth of the inlet it was already dark.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The oars were muffled, and the men ordered to row as noiselessly as they could, following each other closely, and keeping under the left bank.
at the time that
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading They were about half-way up when the word "Fire!" was shouted in Spanish, and six guns were simultaneously discharged.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had the Spaniards waited a few seconds longer, the three boats would all have been in line with the guns.
