used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
at or in the front
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
(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 All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
bundlesnounUS /ˈbʌndəlz/
plural of “bundle” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
ChairmannounUS /ˈtʃermən/
the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
being one more than seven
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
opinion or judgment
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
lifeboatnounUS /ˈlaɪfboʊt/
a strong sea boat designed to rescue people from a sinking ship
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
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 The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
marineadjectiveUS /mərˈiːn/
of or relating to the sea
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
the force of workers available
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
not any; not one
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
sacksnounUS /sæks/
plural of “sack” — a bag made of paper or plastic for holding customer's purchases
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
sightedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪtɪd/
able to see
From this reading The lifeboat must have been about five miles off when first sighted by the lookout, and it was not long before they could distinguish, by help of the glasses, a number of people in the boat.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
not in physical motion
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
streamersnounUS /ˈstriːmərz/
plural of “streamer” — light that streams
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
subsidedverbUS /səbˈsaɪdɪd/
past form of “subside” — wear off or die down
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
tumbleverbUS /ˈtʌmbəl/
fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading There seemed to be eight or ten men, and the boat appeared to be about twenty feet long.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
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 The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
at the time that
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
white-caps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
which person or people
From this reading All hands on board who had no definite posts of duty had their eyes fixed upon the boat ahead, and the boys were taking turns in looking through a marine glass which they had borrowed from the Chairman.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the stern was a pile of what looked like bundles or sacks with some one lying down and partly supported by them.
but in spite of that
From this reading The sea was still rough from the after effects of the storm, and, although the waves had somewhat subsided, yet they were high enough to tumble over one another--forming white-caps and streamers of spray when caught by the wind.
