used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
(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 This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
appliancesnounUS /əˈplaɪənsəz/
plural of “appliance” — a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
canoenounUS /kəˈnuː/
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
cutlassnounUS /ˈkʌtləs/
a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
hermitnounUS /ˈhɜːrmət/
one retired from society for religious reasons
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
MosesnounUS /ˈmoʊzəs/
(Old Testament) the Hebrew prophet who led the Israelites from Egypt across the Red sea on a journey known as the Exodus; Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
Nigel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ready!" whispered Nigel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
having a point
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "Ready!" whispered Nigel.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Moses stepped into the stern, and our hero sat down in the middle.
store-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
strapnounUS /stræp/
an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
possessing sweep
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
push forcefully
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading This contrivance, as well as all the other appliances in the canoe, had previously been pointed out and explained to him.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading "Ready!" whispered Nigel.
which person or people
From this reading Before pushing off, the hermit drew a revolver and a cutlass from his store-room in the bow and handed them to Nigel, who thrust the first into his belt and fastened the other to the deck by means of a strap fixed there on purpose to prevent its being rolled or swept off.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Without another word the hermit took his place in the bow of the canoe.
