used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
bowlinenounUS /ˈboʊlaɪn/
a loop knot that neither slips nor jams
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
clovenounUS /kloʊv/
aromatic flower bud of a clove tree; yields a spice
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading ORGANIZING THE SHIP'S COMPANY.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
hitchverbUS /hɪtʃ/
to hook or entangle
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
instructornounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
knotnounUS /nɑːt/
a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
LilynounUS /ˈlɪli/
any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
engage in
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
ORGANIZINGverbUS /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “organize” — create (as an entity)
From this reading ORGANIZING THE SHIP'S COMPANY.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
quartermasternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərmæstər/
an army officer who provides clothing and subsistence for troops
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
SHIP'SnounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading ORGANIZING THE SHIP'S COMPANY.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
make square
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
studentsnounUS /ˈstuːdənts/
plural of “student” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ORGANIZING THE SHIP'S COMPANY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
tienounUS /taɪ/
neckwear consisting of a long narrow piece of material worn (mostly by men) under a collar and tied in knot at the front
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
up to a particular time
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
being of use or service
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The short lines which had been on the wharf for a week were in demand, and the old man showed the boys how to make a few of the most useful knots.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For the next week, Bates was the principal instructor of the students on board the Lily while they were employed in putting on the rigging.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The old quartermaster was patient with them while they were attentive to their duty; and in a few days they could make a bowline hitch, tie a square knot, put a clove hitch on a stick, and some others.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They were required to repeat the operations till they could make the knots without stopping to dream over them.
