used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
auditornounUS /ˈɔːdɪtər/
someone who listens attentively
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
confideverbUS /kənˈfaɪd/
reveal in private; tell confidentially
From this reading "Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"
without stop or interruption
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
deliveringverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
discoursenounUS /ˈdɪskɔːrs/
extended verbal expression in speech or writing
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
etiquettenounUS /ˈetəkət/
rules governing socially acceptable behavior
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
every person
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
FOREMASTnoun
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
death of a person
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
lectureverbUS /ˈlektʃər/
deliver a lecture or talk
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
come together
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
Passford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
requirementsnounUS /rɪˈkwaɪrmənts/
plural of “requirement” — required activity
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
express in words
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
not in physical motion
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
carry out
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
