used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was looking down at the muddy river, and beckoning.
beckoningverbUS /ˈbekənɪŋ/
-ing form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading He was looking down at the muddy river, and beckoning.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came to Ichang next noon.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
companionwaynounUS /kəmˈpænjənweɪ/
a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
coolienoun
(ethnic slur) an offensive name for an unskilled Asian laborer
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He was looking down at the muddy river, and beckoning.
emergeverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/
come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
grass-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
hazardousadjectiveUS /ˈhæzərdəs/
involving risk or danger
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
Ichang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They came to Ichang next noon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He was looking down at the muddy river, and beckoning.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
MongoliannounUS /mɑːŋˈɡoʊliən/
a member of the nomadic peoples of Mongolia
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading He was looking down at the muddy river, and beckoning.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading They came to Ichang next noon.
the middle of the day
From this reading They came to Ichang next noon.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
procedurenounUS /prəˈsiːdʒər/
a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading He was looking down at the muddy river, and beckoning.
sampannounUS /ˈsæmpæn/
an Asian skiff usually propelled by two oars
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
cut with a saw
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
sidledverbUS /ˈsaɪdəld/
past form of “sidle” — move unobtrusively or furtively
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Peter gave him a full stare, but the man did not glance in his direction.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came to Ichang next noon.
tidewaternounUS /ˈtaɪdwɔːtər/
low-lying coastal land drained by tidal streams
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They came to Ichang next noon.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
transferringverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading Peter observed a sampan coolie give an answering wave, and the sampan sidled alongside the flat.
at the time that
From this reading Peter was on deck watching the somewhat hazardous procedure of transferring large grass-bound cases of tools from a tidewater steamer to the stern of the flat when he saw the Mongolian emerge from the companionway and walk to the rail, forward.
