used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
in actual fact
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
afterpart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FOODLESS BOAT AND THE ISLAND.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
asunderadjectiveUS /əˈsʌndər/
widely separated especially in space
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading THE FOODLESS BOAT AND THE ISLAND.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
clingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
downwardsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
FOODLESSadjective
being without food
From this reading THE FOODLESS BOAT AND THE ISLAND.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
founderedverbUS /ˈfaʊndərd/
past form of “founder” — fail utterly; collapse
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE FOODLESS BOAT AND THE ISLAND.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
laterallyadverbUS /ˈlætərəliː/
to or by or from the side
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
not any; not one
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
quoth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
on the contrary
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
Rumbold's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
SaucyadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːsi/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
transport commercially
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
in the near future
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
stowedverbUS /stoʊd/
past form of “stow” — fill by packing tightly
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
Susan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FOODLESS BOAT AND THE ISLAND.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
upwardsadverbUS /ˈʌpwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We sat, for a few moments after the catastrophe, in silence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
at the time that
From this reading It was Rumbold’s opinion, that the powder below the cabin had been so stowed, that the force of the explosion when it took fire was downwards and laterally, rather than upwards—and that the sides of the afterpart of the ship had been actually driven asunder.
in or at the place that
From this reading So we were soon, as nearly as we could judge, floating upon the exact spot where the ‘Saucy Susan’ foundered.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading Then quoth I, ‘Let us pull back, there can be no danger now, and try whether there be any floating wreck with any poor wretch clinging to it.’
