used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a change in the scene!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
(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 the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading What a change in the scene!
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What a change in the scene!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
and nothing more
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
PolynesianounUS /ˌpɑːlɪˈniːʒə/
the islands in the eastern part of Oceania
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading What a change in the scene!
utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
steamersnounUS /ˈstiːmərz/
plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading What a change in the scene!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only a few sailors were at work at the big ropes, but they didn't shout as before.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
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 All the little boats and steamers had disappeared, and the wharf was deserted.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a change in the scene!
in or at the place that
From this reading Where there had been noise and confusion before, peace and quiet were now.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading On deck the "Polynesia" everything was in good order, and the officers walked about smoking their cigars as if their work was done.
