used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
(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 One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
amiableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪmiəbəl/
disposed to please
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
coamingnoun
a raised framework around a hatchway on a ship to keep water out
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
the first light of day
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
droningnounUS /ˈdroʊnɪŋ/
an unchanging intonation
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
forenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
high-poweredadjectiveUS /ˌhaɪˈpaʊərd/
vigorously energetic or forceful
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
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 few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
lounged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
the force of workers available
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
moisturenounUS /ˈmɔɪstʃər/
wetness caused by water
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
not any; not one
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
and nothing more
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
placidlyadverbUS /ˈplæsɪdli/
in a quiet and tranquil manner
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
uttered with a trill
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
move hurridly
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
having a supporting base
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading One of the men aft half lounged over the coaming and his broad shoulders and large, amiable face all but filled the stern of the boat.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
possessing sweep
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
tannedadjectiveUS /tænd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading The spray constantly swept over his big, dangling hands and the salt moisture struck at his tanned cheeks but he seemed not to notice.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its motor was so muffled that it emitted no more than a low droning sound and could be heard for only a short distance, despite the fact that it had been let out to full speed.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading A few hours before dawn a long, trim, high-powered motor boat cut through the placidly rolling waves.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading Besides the man at the wheel the boat carried six men, three standing fore and three aft.
