used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
(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 helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
AmericansnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
annihilatingadjectiveUS /əˈnaɪəleɪtɪŋ/
wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
eagerly desirous
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading As if in broad daylight, they were visible to the outlaws.
CAPTORnounUS /ˈkæptər/
a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading As if in broad daylight, they were visible to the outlaws.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
defenselessadjectiveUS /dɪˈfensləs/
lacking protection or support
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
without deviation
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
with resolute determination
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
graspedverbUS /ɡræspt/
past form of “grasp” — hold firmly
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
helplesslyadverbUS /ˈhelpləsli/
in a helpless manner
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As if in broad daylight, they were visible to the outlaws.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
jubilantadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːbələnt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
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 A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
O'Neil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/
plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading As if in broad daylight, they were visible to the outlaws.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
POLITEadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
resolveverbUS /riˈzɑːlv/
bring to an end; settle conclusively
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
revealingadjectiveUS /rɪˈviːlɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
search-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Suddenly the beam of the search-light swung directly aft, revealing to the pirates the defenseless band of spectators to the recent tragedy.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
victoriousadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriəs/
having won
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading As if in broad daylight, they were visible to the outlaws.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The helpless passengers were confident now that all was over.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A POLITE CAPTOR The Americans were not kept long in suspense, although to the anxious boys, huddled helplessly in the shadow of the boat, the time seemed hours until the victorious and jubilant natives moved aft, bent on annihilating those whom they believed were hiding from their search.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading O’Neil grasped his weapon firmly, while the lads made a mental resolve to seize the arms of the first natives within reach and sacrifice their own lives as dearly as possible.
