used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE FIRST DAY.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
your usual mood
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
eddyverbUS /ˈedi/
flow in a circular current, of liquids
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
ferry-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST DAY.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
set up or found
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
helmnounUS /helm/
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
navigationnounUS /ˈnævəˈɡeɪʃən/
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
regulateverbUS /ˈreɡjəleɪt/
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/
fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
rowingnounUS /ˈroʊɪŋ/
the act of rowing as a sport
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
steeringnounUS /ˈstɪrɪŋ/
the act of guiding or showing the way
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST DAY.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Bob took his place at the helm in starting, and managed for the first hour to regulate the direction of his craft.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A steering apparatus had been rigged up at the stern, which was found strong enough for the purpose required.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
in or at the place that
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
whirlverbUS /wɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
widenedverbUS /ˈwaɪdənd/
past form of “widen” — become broader or wider or more extensive
From this reading By that time they came to a place where the creek widened considerably, and the boat showed a disposition to whirl round in an eddy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bob was accustomed to rowing, but navigation with the ferry-boat presented a new and interesting problem which he was eager to solve.
