used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
admissionnounUS /ædˈmɪʃən/
the act of admitting someone to enter
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
any thing at all
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
ape-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
bawlverbUS /bɔːl/
shout loudly and without restraint
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
BrantnounUS /brænt/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
brass-buttoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
bullet-headedadjective
obstinate and stupid
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
Cheeseman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
CobranounUS /ˈkoʊbrə/
venomous Asiatic and African elapid snakes that can expand the skin of the neck into a hood
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
contortionnounUS /kənˈtɔːrʃən/
the act of twisting or deforming the shape of something (e.g., yourself)
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
provoking horror
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
and nothing more
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
leerverb
look suggestively or obliquely; look or gaze with a sly, immodest, or malign expression
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
masteredadjectiveUS /ˈmæstərd/
understood perfectly
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
missivenounUS /ˈmɪsɪv/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
a form of address for a man
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
Nugent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
postmannounUS /ˈpoʊstmən/
a man who delivers the mail
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
reefernounUS /ˈriːfər/
marijuana leaves rolled into a cigarette for smoking
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
transport commercially
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
the state of being asleep
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
SNAKEnounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
in or at or to some place
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
spotlessadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːtləs/
completely neat and clean
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
in or at that place or location
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
push forcefully
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
Travers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
turbinenounUS /ˈtɜːrbaɪn/
rotary engine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
underclothesnoun
undergarment worn next to the skin and under the outer garments
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
at the time that
From this reading When he had mastered the contents of the missive, he thrust it into the pocket of his brass-buttoned reefer, and shouted for "Mr. Cheeseman."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
which person or people
From this reading An answering bawl was heard somewhere forward, and there came running aft the bullet-headed mate who a few days before had at first refused Travers Nugent admission to the ship.
wicked-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Know anything about ladies' underclothes?" asked the wicked-looking skipper, with a horrible leer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading While he read his hideous features were twisted into the ape-like contortion that did duty with him for a grin.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading THE SLEEPING SNAKE Captain Brant, of the turbine steam yacht _Cobra_, walked the spotless deck of his vessel; and he walked slowly, for he was reading a letter which the postman had just brought on board.
