used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Whistler did not believe any fishing boat, or other craft, had brought this information to Mag.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Whistler did not believe any fishing boat, or other craft, had brought this information to Mag.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Whistler did not believe any fishing boat, or other craft, had brought this information to Mag.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Whistler did not believe any fishing boat, or other craft, had brought this information to Mag.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
castawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
carefully weighed
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
divinationnounUS /ˌdɪvəˈneɪʃən/
successful conjecture by unusual insight or good luck
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading Whistler did not believe any fishing boat, or other craft, had brought this information to Mag.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
a message received and understood
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
isolatedadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsəleɪtəd/
not close together in time
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
Kennebunk's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
MacMasters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
MagnounUS /mæɡ/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
of an obscure nature
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
nighadjectiveUS /naɪ/
not far distant in time or space or degree or circumstances
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
not any; not one
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
on one occasion
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whistler did not believe any fishing boat, or other craft, had brought this information to Mag.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
precisely, exactly
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
uninhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈhæbətɪd/
not having inhabitants; not lived in
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
at the time that
From this reading There had been no vessel in sight when the _Kennebunk's_ tender was blown up by the floating mine.
WhistlernounUS /ˈwɪslər/
United States painter (1834-1903)
From this reading THE EXPLANATION Although Whistler was quite sure "Old Mag," as she called herself, possessed no powers of divination, he knew she did have certain knowledge that he considered she had no moral right to have.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Here she was, an ignorant old creature living on a well nigh uninhabited island off an isolated coast, with some mysterious means of information upon subjects that she should know nothing about.
but in spite of that
From this reading She claimed not to have seen the other party of castaways; yet she knew at once that Mr. MacMasters and his companions were from a craft that had been blown up miles away from her cabin, and completely out of sight and hearing of this island.
