used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərədʒ/
the condition of being secured to a base
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
Beven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
Cleo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
communicatedverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪtɪd/
past form of “communicate” — transmit information
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
not accessible to view
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
galvanicadjectiveUS /ɡælˈvænɪk/
pertaining to or producing electric current by chemical action
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
a man of refinement
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
jauntyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔːnti/
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
the act of departing
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
one of four equal parts
From this reading THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.
with low volume
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
Roderic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
solacenounUS /ˈsɑːləs/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LADY ON THE QUARTER DECK.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
unsociableadjective
not inclined to society or companionship
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading He sprang to his feet as though urged by a shock from a concealed galvanic battery.
precisely as stated
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
a message informing of danger
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Instantly he remembered that Cleo had been close by a short time before, and his first act was to turn his head and look for her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading The ladies had however quietly withdrawn, doubtless finding Roderic very unsociable, and leaving him to the solace of his old pipe.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The news which Captain Beven communicated almost in a whisper to Roderic had as startling an effect upon that gentleman as though the guns of the battery that frowned upon their anchorage had suddenly and without the least warning opened full upon their jaunty craft.
