used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
(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 All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
cabinsnounUS /ˈkæbənz/
plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
CargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
craneverbUS /kreɪn/
stretch (the neck) so as to see better
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
creakverbUS /kriːk/
make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
someone who is a detective
From this reading DICK GOES TO SEA.
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
doorwaysnounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪz/
plural of “doorway” — the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
dumpedverbUS /dʌmpt/
past form of “dump” — throw away as refuse
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
every person
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading DICK GOES TO SEA.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
OverheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading DICK GOES TO SEA.
the act of searching for something
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
shrilled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
stewardsnounUS /ˈstuːərdz/
plural of “steward” — someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
not in physical motion
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DICK GOES TO SEA.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All was bustle and hurry aboard the steamer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the decks people were hurrying about, seeking stewards and cabins, and the doorways were blocked with little groups saying good-bye.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading Overhead a harsh whistle shrilled out--so suddenly that everyone jumped, and horses on the wharf danced nervously.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
yawningadjectiveUS /ˈjɔːnɪŋ/
gaping open as if threatening to engulf someone or something
From this reading Cargo was still being loaded; the creak and rattle of the great crane, as it swung back and forth, the crash of cases, dumped into the yawning mouth of the hold, mingled with the confusion of arriving passengers and the shouts of sailors and dock hands.
