used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
(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 Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
move towards
From this reading Its approach at first was imperceptible.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Its approach at first was imperceptible.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
the act of breaking something
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
a young person of either sex
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
the first light of day
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE THIRD DAY.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
definedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfaɪnd/
clearly characterized or delimited
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Its approach at first was imperceptible.
set up or found
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
in a gradual manner
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
hauledverbUS /hɔːld/
past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
hoistedverbUS /ˈhɔɪstəd/
past form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
Holdsworth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading Its approach at first was imperceptible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its approach at first was imperceptible.
English writer and lexicographer (1709-1784)
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
conformity or harmony
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
languishedverbUS /ˈlæŋɡwɪʃt/
past form of “languish” — lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
the force of workers available
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
not any; not one
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
prevailingadjectiveUS /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/
most frequent or common
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
stern-sheets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THIRD DAY.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading THE THIRD DAY.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A faint gray mingled in the prevailing darkness, and gradually grew more defined; the stars languished, and those in the extreme east hid themselves.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
up to a particular time
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Its approach at first was imperceptible.
look attentively
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
which person or people
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading As no object could be served by keeping the sail hoisted, they hauled it down and spread a portion of it over the widow and her child.
Winyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Holdsworth kept watch till ten, and then awakened Winyard, who watched till twelve; afterwards Johnson watched; and so the three men took turn and turn about, all through the long and breathless night, until daybreak, which found Winyard awake in the stern-sheets, watching the pale dawn breaking in the east.
