used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
highly skilled
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
any thing at all
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
beleagueredverbUS /bɪˈliːɡərd/
past form of “beleaguer” — annoy persistently
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
(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 They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
dipsnounUS /dɪps/
plural of “dip” — a depression in an otherwise level surface
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
drawbacknounUS /ˈdrɔːbæk/
the quality of being a hindrance
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
start firing a weapon
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
FloranounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
imprisonmentnounUS /ˌɪmˈprɪzənmənt/
putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
M'Vayne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
manufactureverbUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/
put together out of artificial or natural components or parts
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
the force of workers available
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
not any; not one
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
and nothing more
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
coated with paint
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
PetroleumnounUS /pəˈtroʊliəm/
a dark oil consisting mainly of hydrocarbons
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
purser's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
saloonnounUS /səˈluːn/
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
refrain from harming
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
storedverbUS /stɔːrd/
past form of “store” — keep or lay aside for future use
From this reading Petroleum was burned only in the saloon, and it was stored in a hold right beneath this for greater safety.
required or under orders
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
thereofadverbUS /ˌðeˈrʌv/
of or concerning this or that
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
the act of using
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
(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 They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
at the time that
From this reading They had to be saving in the use thereof, however, and as they could talk as well, if not better, by the flickering light of the fire, the lamp was always turned out when no one cared to read.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
whiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
which person or people
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
wicksnounUS /wɪks/
plural of “wick” — any piece of cord that conveys liquid by capillary action
From this reading He had to manufacture the wicks from cotton refuse, but, this accomplished, the rest was simple enough.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Being myself, reader, an "ice man" of some considerable experience, the manner in which the officers and crew of the beleaguered craft _Flora M’Vayne_ whiled away the time during their long winter imprisonment may be said to be painted from the life.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At first it was supposed that the want of light would be a drawback to enjoyment, but the steward was one of those men who can turn their hands to anything, and he proposed making purser’s dips from the spare fat.
