used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
(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 The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
BEN'SnounUS /benz/
possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill
From this reading BEN’S COURTSHIP.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading But Ben had proved himself to be a man of capacity.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
COURTSHIPnounUS /ˈkɔːrtʃɪp/
a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage)
From this reading BEN’S COURTSHIP.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But Ben had proved himself to be a man of capacity.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But Ben had proved himself to be a man of capacity.
meritsnounUS /ˈmerəts/
plural of “merit” — any admirable quality or attribute
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But Ben had proved himself to be a man of capacity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
established beyond doubt
From this reading But Ben had proved himself to be a man of capacity.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
RhinesnounUS /raɪnz/
plural of “rhine” — United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
move upward
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
transport commercially
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
shipmatesnounUS /ˈʃɪpmeɪts/
plural of “shipmate” — an associate on the same ship with you
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
a male human offspring
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
carry out
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Captain Rhines didn’t believe it was a good plan for relations to be shipmates; he didn’t want his son to be “ship’s cousin,” but to rise on his own merits, as his father had done before him; and if he couldn’t do that, then he might stay down.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading The owners were all willing, and his father wanted him to take the ship and let him stay at home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ben had never been to sea with his father.
