used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
astoundingadjectiveUS /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/
bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/
plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
dreamingnounUS /ˈdriːmɪŋ/
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
divisible by two
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LEFT IN THE LURCH.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
Jimmie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading LEFT IN THE LURCH.
LURCHverbUS /lɜːrtʃ/
walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading LEFT IN THE LURCH.
engage in
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
the force of workers available
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
mutteringnounUS /ˈmʌtərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
with speed
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
express in words
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LEFT IN THE LURCH.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Jimmie was rubbing his eyes, and muttering to himself, as though he began to believe he might be dreaming.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading Meanwhile the other craft had drawn quickly nearer, and Jack could even make out the fact that the men crowded in her seemed to be in some sort of uniform, for he certainly discovered brass buttons.
vagrantsnounUS /ˈveɪɡrənts/
plural of “vagrant” — a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
at the time that
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
but in spite of that
From this reading Then it was not a joke, nor yet some sort of trick being played by cunning river vagrants in order to catch the boys off their guard.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The two young cruisers in the motor boat could not say a single word when these astounding words reached their ears.
