used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
from appearances alone
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading CLOSE QUARTERS.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
HowenounUS /haʊ/
United States editor (1920-1993)
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
malcontentsnounUS /ˌmælkənˈtents/
plural of “malcontent” — a person who is discontented or disgusted
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
not any; not one
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
organizingverbUS /ˈɔːrɡənaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “organize” — create (as an entity)
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading CLOSE QUARTERS.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
secretlyadverbUS /ˈsiːkrɪtli/
in secrecy; not openly
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
transport commercially
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
believed likely
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading They had arranged at least a dozen different tricks for making confusion among the crew.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
WiltonnounUS /ˈwɪltən/
a carpet woven on a Jacquard loom with loops like a Brussels carpet but having the loops cut to form a close velvety pile
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Howe, Wilton, Little, and others had done their work thoroughly and secretly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Certainly no one would have suspected them of organizing any mischief, they looked so innocent and so determined to do their duty promptly.
zealousadjectiveUS /ˈzeləs/
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
From this reading The malcontents in the ship were, apparently, the most zealous seamen on board.
