used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was well they did, too.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was well they did, too.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
lifeboatnounUS /ˈlaɪfboʊt/
a strong sea boat designed to rescue people from a sinking ship
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
MalaynounUS /ˈmeɪleɪ/
a member of a people inhabiting the northern Malay Peninsula and Malaysia and parts of the western Malay Archipelago
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
the force of workers available
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
and nothing more
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
a strong line
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
suspiciousadjectiveUS /səˈspɪʃəs/
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
swimmersnounUS /ˈswɪmərz/
plural of “swimmer” — a trained athlete who participates in swimming meets
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was well they did, too.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It was well they did, too.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was well they did, too.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was well they did, too.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading During the night, native swimmers went out to her and cut the anchor rope.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The four others were offered quarters ashore for the night, but two of my boys remained in the boat as a precaution.
which person or people
From this reading They were put up to it by a Malay police officer who was suspicious of us.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not knowing any or my men would remain on board her, since she was only an open lifeboat, he planned to search her.
