used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
Abram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
accordancenounUS /əˈkɔːrdəns/
concurrence of opinion
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
acutenessnounUS /əˈkjuːtnəs/
a sensitivity that is keen and highly developed
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
alarmingadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmɪŋ/
frightening because of an awareness of danger
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
AMONGprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
betrayverbUS /bɪˈtreɪ/
reveal unintentionally
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
gotten under control
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
cumbersomeadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmbərsəm/
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
detectverbUS /dɪˈtekt/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
increase twofold
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
in a gradual manner
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
guidingadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdɪŋ/
exerting control or influence
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
only a very short time before
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
HawthornenounUS /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/
United States writer of novels and short stories mostly on moral themes (1804-1864)
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
Inez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
intendsverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendz/
third-person singular of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
immediately past
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
lateennoun
a triangular fore-and-aft sail used especially in the Mediterranean
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
particlenounUS /ˈpɑːrtəkəl/
(nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
Paumotu
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
prearrangedverbUS /ˌpriːərˈeɪndʒd/
past form of “prearrange” — arrange beforehand
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
proa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
precisely, exactly
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
SandersnounUS /ˈsændərz/
plural of “sander” — a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
in or at or to some place
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
StormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The strong suspicion he now formed was that Fred Sanders was expecting the appearance of the craft, and that he was guiding his own proa in accordance with some prearranged plan.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an alarming conclusion to reach, but Storms felt hardly a particle of doubt that he was right.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
twenty-odd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "He intends to betray us, and has intended to do so from the first."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A FRIEND AMONG ENEMIES The double canoe, with its cumbersome lateen sail and its crew of twenty-odd pirates, had stolen down from somewhere among the Paumotu Islands, and was now gradually approaching the proa which contained Abram Storms and Inez Hawthorne.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
a late time of life
From this reading The experience of the preceding few years, and especially of the last day or two, had given Mr. Storms an astonishing acuteness, which enabled him often to detect the truth without difficulty.
