used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
from appearances alone
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
ARRESTverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
bum-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
CalamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
devil'snounUS /ˈdevəlz/
possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
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 THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
franticallyadverbUS /ˈfræntəkəli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
gunboatnounUS /ˈɡʌnboʊt/
a small shallow-draft boat carrying mounted guns; used by costal patrols
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
HawknounUS /hɔːk/
diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
heave-to
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
motor-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
pilotverbUS /ˈpaɪlət/
operate an airplane
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
in the near future
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
SingaporenounUS /ˈsɪŋəpɔːr/
the capital of Singapore; one of the world's biggest ports
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
Solomon'snounUS /ˈsɑːləmənz/
possessive form of “solomon” — (Old Testament) son of David and king of Israel noted for his wisdom (10th century BC)
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
move hurridly
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
steamedadjectiveUS /stiːmd/
cooked in steam
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's his water-clerk in the stern."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
in the direction of
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading "Looks uncommon like Solomon's new motor bum-boat," answered the latter.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
water-clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That's his water-clerk in the stern."
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading As the vessels drew nearer, a motor-boat was seen approaching at full speed, and presently a man in the stern stood up and began to wave his arms frantically, apparently as a signal for the ships to heave-to.
which person or people
From this reading "Now, who the devil's that?" muttered Calamity, who was on the bridge with the pilot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE ARREST Early on the following morning the _Hawk_, with the gunboat in her wake, steamed towards Singapore harbour.
