used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
at or in the front
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading But she was in bad order.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
engined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
opinion or judgment
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
forgeverbUS /fɔːrdʒ/
create by hammering
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
inferior-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
Larry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading But she was in bad order.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
powerfullyadverbUS /ˈpaʊərfli/
in a powerful manner
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
racernounUS /ˈreɪsər/
someone who drives racing cars at high speeds
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
only a very short time before
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It scarcely seemed possible that such an inferior-looking craft could forge ahead of the splendid _Elizabeth_, but she did.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
precisely as stated
From this reading Later Larry learned that the boat had been a racer, and was very powerfully engined.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading THE CHASE There was scarcely any wind now, but there was still a heavy swell on the lake.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With eager eyes those aboard the _Elizabeth_ watched the vessel of which they were in pursuit.
