used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
additionaladjectiveUS /əˈdɪʃənəl/
further or added
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
any thing at all
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
blindfoldedadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndfoʊldɪd/
wearing a blindfold
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
confined by bonds
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
a person who is in charge
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
contemplateverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪt/
look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
cruellyadverbUS /ˈkruːli/
excessively
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
divisible by two
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
Flying-fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
set up or found
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
gaggedverbUS /ɡæɡd/
inflected form of “gag” — prevent from speaking out
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
only a very short time before
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
infamynounUS /ˈɪnfəmi/
a state of extreme dishonor
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
the force of workers available
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
mutineersnounUS /ˌmjuːtɪˈnɪrz/
plural of “mutineer” — someone who is openly rebellious and refuses to obey authorities (especially seamen or soldiers)
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER.
recurredverbUS /riˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “recur” — happen or occur again
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
remembrancenounUS /riˈmembrəns/
the ability to recall past occurrences
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
ruffians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
sharksnounUS /ʃɑːrks/
plural of “shark” — any of numerous elongate mostly marine carnivorous fishes with heterocercal caudal fins and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
TAKENadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading TAKEN PRISONER.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
torturingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərɪŋ/
extremely painful
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Men who had committed such a deed of infamy were capable of anything—even of torturing us.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And what an awful fate it might be I hardly dared to contemplate.
at the time that
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
which person or people
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had heard, of course—and the remembrance recurred to me now with additional force—that the mutineers of the _Flying-fish_, had cruelly and in cold blood murdered their captain and chief mate, and thrown their bodies to the sharks.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading When I found myself blindfolded, gagged, and securely bound by the ruffians who had sprung upon me, my heart sank within me, for I fully thought that my fate was sealed.
