used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
(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 Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
in addition
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
anchoredverbUS /ˈæŋkərd/
past form of “anchor” — fix firmly and stably
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
belatedadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
Cai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
make calm or still
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
commentedverbUS /ˈkɑːmentəd/
past form of “comment” — make or write a comment on
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading FIRST SUSPICIONS.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
engage in
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
mothsnounUS /mɔːθs/
plural of “moth” — typically crepuscular or nocturnal insect having a stout body and feathery or hairlike antennae
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
offingnounUS /ˈɔːfɪŋ/
the near or foreseeable future
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
regattanounUS /rɪˈɡɑːtə/
a meeting for boat races
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
rendezvousnounUS /ˈrɑːndɪvuː/
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
superbadjectiveUS /sʊˈpɜːrb/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
SUSPICIONSnounUS /səˈspɪʃənz/
plural of “suspicion” — an impression that something might be the case
From this reading FIRST SUSPICIONS.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
in the direction of
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
Troy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
tugsnounUS /tʌɡz/
plural of “tug” — a sudden abrupt pull
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
variableadjectiveUS /ˈveriəbəl/
liable to or capable of change
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was August, and the weather for weeks had been superb.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
a Caucasian
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
yachtsnounUS /jɑːts/
plural of “yacht” — an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading It was also the week of Troy's annual regatta, and a whole fleet of yachts lay anchored in the little harbour, getting ready their riding lights.
but in spite of that
From this reading Two or three belated ones--like large white moths in the grey offing-- had yet to make the rendezvous, and were creeping towards it with all canvas piled: for the wind--light and variable all day--had now at sunset dropped almost to a flat calm.
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading "A few pounds to be picked up out yonder," commented Captain Cai, "if the tugs had any enterprise."
