used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
AbelnounUS /ˈeɪbəl/
Norwegian mathematician (1802-1829)
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
BONFIREnounUS /ˈbɑːnfaɪər/
a large outdoor fire that is lighted as a signal or in celebration
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Such is the irony of chance!
compressedadjectiveUS /kəmˈprest/
pressed tightly together
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
compressingnounUS /kəmˈpresɪŋ/
applying pressure
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
demonstratedadjectiveUS /ˈdemənstreɪtɪd/
having been demonstrated or verified beyond doubt
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
explodingverbUS /ɪkˈsploʊdɪŋ/
-ing form of “explode” — cause to burst with a violent release of energy
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
FredericknounUS /ˈfredrɪk/
a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
FREDERICK'SnounUS /ˈfredrɪks/
possessive form of “frederick” — a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
many times at short intervals
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
galesnounUS /ɡeɪlz/
plural of “gale” — a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
guncottonnounUS /ˈɡʌnˈkɑːtən/
a nitric acid ester; used in lacquers and explosives
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
high-gradeadjective
surpassing in quality
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
ten 10s
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
ignitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪɡˈnaɪtɪd/
set afire
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
ironynounUS /ˈaɪrəni/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading Such is the irony of chance!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such is the irony of chance!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
engage in
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
something you have to do
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such is the irony of chance!
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
originatornounUS /ərˈɪdʒəneɪtər/
someone who creates new things
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
processverbUS /ˈprɑːses/
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
puritynounUS /ˈpjʊrəti/
being undiluted or unmixed with extraneous material
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
with low volume
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
sea-captain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
shipwrecks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
term of address for a man
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
skiffnounUS /skɪf/
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
be standing; be upright
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such is the irony of chance!
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
survivedverbUS /sərˈvaɪvd/
past form of “survive” — continue to live and avoid dying
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
testsnounUS /tests/
plural of “test” — trying something to find out about it
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
tonsnounUS /tʌnz/
a large number or amount
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
traveledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
traveled over or through; sometimes used as a combining term
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
the act of using
From this reading SIR FREDERICK'S BONFIRE Sir Frederick Abel, who was the originator of the modern process of making high-grade guncotton and of compressing it into dense cakes for use, told me the following story:
an act of traveling by water
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
weatheredadjectiveUS /ˈweðərd/
worn by exposure to the weather
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
at the time that
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At one time, Sir Frederick had about five tons of dry guncotton, which was not of sufficient purity to stand the Government tests.
which person or people
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had, on previous occasions, frequently demonstrated how compressed guncotton, though dry, would quietly burn away without exploding when ignited, so he now fancied that his five tons would make a capital bonfire.
a late time of life
From this reading * * * * * An old sea-captain who had for forty years traveled on every sea, who had weathered a thousand gales, and survived a hundred shipwrecks, on his return from his final voyage, in making his landing on his home shore, slipped from the dock into the water and under the skiff, and was drowned.
