used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RAFT.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
for the reason that
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
fellow-passenger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
ForesternounUS /ˈfɔːrəstər/
English writer of adventure novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower (1899-1966)
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
Marco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
one of four equal parts
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
RAFTnounUS /ræft/
a flat float (usually made of logs or planks) that can be used for transport or as a platform for swimmers
From this reading A RAFT.
rambleverbUS /ˈræmbəl/
continue talking or writing in a desultory manner
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
ramblingadjectiveUS /ˈræmblɪŋ/
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
steamboatnounUS /ˈstiːmboʊt/
a boat propelled by a steam engine
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
carry out
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
tavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
in or at that place or location
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
precisely as stated
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Forester and Marco did not take breakfast on board the steamboat, but waited until they got on shore.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
at the time that
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading "Because," said he, "we can then amuse ourselves by rambling about here, and shall be ready to return to the steamboat whenever they send for us."
which person or people
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
belonging to which person
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had inquired of a fellow-passenger, who seemed acquainted with the country, and were told that there was a very good tavern about a quarter of a mile from the mill.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When they landed upon the logs, Marco, whose curiosity seemed to be stronger than his appetite, wanted to ramble about for a little time along the shore and among the piles of boards, but Forester thought it would be best first to go and get their breakfast.
