used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
move towards
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
awaitedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪtɪd/
expected hopefully
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
cause to be bored
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
travel across or pass over
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
draughtnounUS /dræft/
a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
DunkirknounUS /ˈdʌnkərk/
a crisis in which a desperate effort is the only alternative to defeat
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
embarkedverbUS /emˈbɑːrkt/
past form of “embark” — go on board
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
flagnounUS /flæɡ/
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Its four occupants wore the Red Cross uniforms.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
grumbledverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəld/
past form of “grumble” — show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
in-shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
lightestadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəst/
superlative of “light” — of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
man-of-warnoun
a warship intended for combat
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
navigateverbUS /ˈnævəɡeɪt/
travel on water propelled by wind or by other means
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
occupantsnounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənts/
plural of “occupant” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading Its four occupants wore the Red Cross uniforms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
and nothing more
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
permitsnounUS /pərˈmɪts/
plural of “permit” — a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
prownounUS /praʊ/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
skimverbUS /skɪm/
travel on the surface of water
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
uniformsnounUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrmz/
plural of “uniform” — clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a particular group as a means of identification
From this reading Its four occupants wore the Red Cross uniforms.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
precisely as stated
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
warship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is pleasant!" grumbled Uncle John, as they awaited the approach of the warship's boat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The coast is very shallow in this section, which permits boats of only the lightest draught to navigate in-shore, but the launch was able to skim over the surface at twelve miles an hour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE OTHER SIDE The launch in which they embarked bore the Red Cross on its sides, and an American flag floated from the bow and a Red Cross flag from the stern.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Its four occupants wore the Red Cross uniforms.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet three miles out of Dunkirk a shot came singing across their prow and they were obliged to lay to until a British man-of-war could lower a boat to investigate their errand.
