used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
bruisernoun
a large and strong and heavyset man
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
country'snounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
possessive form of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
DieselnounUS /ˈdiːsəl/
German engineer (born in France) who invented the diesel engine (1858-1913)
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
engineeringnounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪrɪŋ/
the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
the act of departing
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
graduatedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrædʒuːeɪtɪd/
marked with or divided into degrees
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
instructornounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌktər/
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
and nothing more
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
Navy'snounUS /ˈneɪviz/
possessive form of “navy” — an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
pleasnounUS /pliːz/
plural of “plea” — a humble request for help from someone in authority
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
with speed
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
recommendedverbUS /ˌrekəˈmendɪd/
past form of “recommend” — push for something
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
an educational institution
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
schoolsnounUS /skuːlz/
plural of “school” — an educational institution
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
serious-mindedadjective
acting with or showing thought and good sense
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
specialtynounUS /ˈspeʃəlti/
an asset of special worth or utility
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
Stan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
studentnounUS /ˈstuːdənt/
a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
submarinesnounUS /ˈsʌbməriːnz/
plural of “submarine” — a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/
the profession of a teacher
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
technicaladjectiveUS /ˈteknɪkəl/
of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
top-flightadjective
excellent; best possible
From this reading He had graduated from one of the country’s top-flight engineering schools just before going into the Navy, and then had attended one of the Navy’s technical schools.
transferverbUS /trænˈsfɜːr/
transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading But his work at the technical school had been so brilliant that they kept him on as an instructor despite his pleas for transfer to New London.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
waterfrontnounUS /ˈwɔːtərfrʌnt/
the area of a city (such as a harbor or dockyard) alongside a body of water
From this reading Despite Stan’s look of a waterfront bruiser, he was really a serious-minded student.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
in or at the place that
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Diesel engines were his specialty and he felt sure that this knowledge would quickly get him into submarine work where he wanted to be.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Finally, after a year of teaching, he had been recommended for submarines by an understanding commanding officer.
