used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
how long something has existed
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
bloodyadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdi/
having or covered with or accompanied by blood
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
cause to be bored
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
a youthful male person
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
captainsnounUS /ˈkæptənz/
plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
a young person of either sex
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
commandersnounUS /kəˈmændərz/
plural of “commander” — an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
condescendedverbUS /ˌkɑːndɪˈsendɪd/
past form of “condescend” — behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
coursesnounUS /ˈkɔːrsəz/
plural of “course” — education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
earnedadjectiveUS /ɜːrnd/
gained or acquired; especially through merit or as a result of effort or action
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
epaulettenoun
adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
midshipmannounUS /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmən/
a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
nobilitynounUS /noʊˈbɪləti/
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
and nothing more
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
quarter-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
cut with a saw
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
SEAMAN'SnounUS /ˈsiːmənz/
possessive form of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading THE SEAMAN'S STORY.
not often
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
transport commercially
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
sprigs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
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 THE SEAMAN'S STORY.
carry out
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEAMAN'S STORY.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
unrulyadjectiveUS /ənˈruːli/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was a time of stirring action, and before I was twenty years of age I bore upon my shoulder the epaulette of a lieutenant, earned in many a bloody fight.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The naval service was then in high favour, and many sprigs of nobility condescended to walk the quarter-deck as captains and commanders, though they seldom knew as much about a ship as the ship's boys.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
waywardadjectiveUS /ˈweɪwərd/
resistant to guidance or discipline
From this reading But I was a wayward, unruly boy, and he feared I might take to bad courses if restrained.
at the time that
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
a late time of life
From this reading 'I was little more than twelve years of age when I entered the British Navy as a midshipman, much against my good father's will, for I was his only child, and my mother died the day I first saw the light.
