used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
at or in the front
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
cruisernounUS /ˈkruːzər/
a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
let fall to the ground
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
formalitynounUS /fɔːrˈmæləti/
a requirement of etiquette or custom
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
Fraser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
hailingverbUS /ˈheɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
half-speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
hangedverbUS /hæŋd/
past form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
he'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
hootedverbUS /ˈhuːtɪd/
past form of “hoot” — to utter a loud clamorous shout
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
located inward
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
a particular point in time
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
with speed
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
Rurik
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
sampannounUS /ˈsæmpæn/
an Asian skiff usually propelled by two oars
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
cut with a saw
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
signalledverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəld/
inflected form of “signal” — communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
soundingadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/
appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
not in physical motion
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
required or under orders
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
sworeverbUS /swɔːr/
inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The captain first swore, then signalled half-speed ahead; it was some Russian formality, he supposed, and as a British sailor he’d be hanged if he delayed another moment for any foreign port officer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
in the direction of
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The captain stood on the bridge, and the vessel hooted a farewell to the cruiser _Rurik_ that lay in the middle of the channel.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Suddenly Captain Fraser became aware that the voice sounding clear across the still water was hailing him.
Waverley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
in or at the place that
From this reading The _Waverley_ had left the inner harbour where merchant vessels drop anchor, and was steaming dead slow out to sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
a young person (especially a young man or boy)
From this reading Glancing round, he saw a sampan making rapidly towards him from the shore, and in it a youth with one hand to his mouth, the other waving his hat.
