used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
(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 Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
athwartadverbUS /əˈθwɔːrt/
at right angles to the center line of a ship
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But she's standing it all right."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
inconsideratelyadverb
without consideration; in an inconsiderate manner
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "But she's standing it all right."
and nothing more
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
Lieutenant-Commander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
Macquare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
PinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "But she's standing it all right."
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But she's standing it all right."
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
term of address for a man
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
having a supporting base
From this reading "But she's standing it all right."
statingverbUS /ˈsteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “state” — express in words
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
surmisedverbUS /sərˈmaɪzd/
past form of “surmise” — infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
the upper part of anything
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
torpedo-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Just as likely as not a sinking torpedo-boat has inconsiderately dropped on top of us," surmised the Lieutenant.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "If so, the question is how are we to come to the surface?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Pinned Down "Something heavy athwart us, sir," remarked Lieutenant Macquare, stating what was an obvious fact to all on board.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "I wonder what it can be?" asked the Lieutenant-Commander.
