used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
Barbadoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
BonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
BridgetownnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒtaʊn/
capital of Barbados; a port city on the southwestern coast of Barbados
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
a period of 100 years
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the seventeenth in position
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
accept an excuse for
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
fellow-beings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
FlagnounUS /flæɡ/
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
a man of refinement
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
Greenhornnoun
an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
engage in
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
murderingverbUS /ˈmɜːrdərɪŋ/
-ing form of “murder” — kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
reputableadjectiveUS /ˈrepjətəbəl/
having a good reputation
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
respectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈspektɪd/
receiving deferential regard
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
robbingverbUS /ˈrɑːbɪŋ/
inflected form of “rob” — take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
Stede
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
precisely as stated
From this reading A Greenhorn under the Black Flag Early in the eighteenth century there lived at Bridgetown, in the island of Barbadoes, a very pleasant, middle-aged gentleman named Major Stede Bonnet.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a man in comfortable circumstances, and had been an officer in the British army.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
in or at the place that
From this reading He had retired from military service, and had bought an estate at Bridgetown, where he lived in comfort and was respected by his neighbors.
which person or people
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading There were some persons who said that this strange fancy was due to the fact that his wife did not make his home pleasant for him, but it is quite certain that if a man wants an excuse for robbing and murdering his fellow-beings he ought to have a much better one than the bad temper of his wife.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But for some reason or other this quiet and reputable gentleman got it into his head that he would like to be a pirate.
