used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
(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 The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
CalamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
Captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
chestnutsnounUS /ˈtʃesnəts/
plural of “chestnut” — wood of any of various chestnut trees of the genus Castanea
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
consensusnounUS /kənˈsensəs/
agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
without stop or interruption
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
DYKESnounUS /daɪks/
plural of “dyke” — (slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
an opposing military force
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
every person
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
fablenounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/
a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
FletchernounUS /ˈfletʃər/
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
gunboat's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
HawknounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
a unit of instruction
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
participate in games or sport
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/
Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The question was, when would the swooping start?
RECEIVESverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The question was, when would the swooping start?
swoopnounUS /swuːp/
(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
swoopingverbUS /ˈswuːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading The question was, when would the swooping start?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
up to a particular time
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
at the time that
From this reading The question was, when would the swooping start?
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading DYKES RECEIVES HIS LESSON For three days the _Hawk_ continued to follow in the gunboat's trail, and everybody was asking everybody else in hushed whispers what the Captain's plans were.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading During all this time, Calamity had not spoken a single word to Miss Fletcher, or, indeed, betrayed any sign that he was aware of her existence.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The consensus of opinion now was that he intended the German to play the part of the cat in the fable and pull the chestnuts out of the fire: in other words, to wait till the enemy had got all the plunder he could carry and then swoop down upon him.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The question was, when would the swooping start?
