used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
the act of breaking something
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
engine-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
gang-plank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
GardinernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdnər/
British historian remembered for his ten-volume history of England (1829-1902)
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
the act of departing
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
destroyed or killed
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
JaynounUS /dʒeɪ/
United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
and nothing more
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
merestadjectiveUS /ˈmerəst/
superlative of “mere” — being nothing more than specified
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
by chance
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
having come into contact
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
transacting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was by the merest chance that he took passage by boat instead of going by rail; or, more truly speaking, there was a fate in it.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Doctor Gardiner was not in such a hurry as the rest of the passengers were, and he walked leisurely across the gang-plank, pausing, as he reached the pier, to look back at the lights on the water.
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 The boat was due at the wharf by midnight; but, owing to an unaccountable delay, caused by the breaking of some machinery in the engine-room, it was after one o'clock when the steamer touched the wharf.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He felt just in the mood to pause there and enjoy what comfort he could find in a good cigar.
at the time that
From this reading When Jay Gardiner left the city, he had expected to be gone a week, possibly a fortnight; but, owing to an unexpected turn in the business he was transacting, he was enabled to settle it in a day or so, and return to the city.
