used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
airmennounUS /ˈermen/
plural of “airman” — someone who operates an aircraft
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
boy'snounUS /bɔɪz/
possessive form of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boy’s eyes were wide open now.
cat-naps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
circlingverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
dirigiblenoun
a steerable self-propelled aircraft
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The boy’s eyes were wide open now.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
hydroplanenoun
an airplane that can land on or take off from water
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
and nothing more
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
immediately past
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The boy’s eyes were wide open now.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The boy’s eyes were wide open now.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
round-shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
cut with a saw
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
startlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
stationedverbUS /ˈsteɪʃənd/
past form of “station” — assign to a station
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
strandedadjectiveUS /ˈstrændɪd/
cut off or left behind
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For hours Billy had been stationed as lookout on the stranded hydroplane.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While an expected round-shot from the shore did not come to disturb the tired airmen, something else happened just about as startling.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading In a waking moment Billy happened to look up, and there he saw a great dirigible circling above the harbor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boy’s eyes were wide open now.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He was taking cat-naps, for it had been quite a while since he last enjoyed a bed.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The boy’s eyes were wide open now.
