used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
barrelsnounUS /ˈbærəlz/
the amount that many barrels might hold
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
bluedverbUS /bluːd/
past form of “blue” — turn blue
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
bulbsnounUS /bʌlbz/
plural of “bulb” — a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
bulkheadnounUS /ˈbʌlkhed/
a partition that divides a ship or plane into compartments
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
cabinsnounUS /ˈkæbənz/
plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
DENnounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading 'THE 'ORRIBLE DEN.'
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
doorwaysnounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪz/
plural of “doorway” — the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
emergedverbUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒd/
past form of “emerge” — come out into view, as from concealment
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
fleetingadjectiveUS /ˈfliːtɪŋ/
lasting for a markedly brief time
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
framedadjectiveUS /freɪmd/
provided with a frame
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
gleamingnounUS /ˈɡliːmɪŋ/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
a quick look
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
provided with artificial light
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
maindeck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
ORRIBLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'THE 'ORRIBLE DEN.'
the time that has elapsed
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
quarterdecknounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərdek/
the stern area of a ship's upper deck
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
racksnounUS /ræks/
plural of “rack” — framework for holding objects
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
rifle-racks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
scuttleverbUS /ˈskʌtəl/
to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
having a sharp inclination
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'THE 'ORRIBLE DEN.'
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
vouchsafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
wardroomnoun
military quarters for dining and recreation for officers of a warship (except the captain)
From this reading From the quarterdeck one climbed down a steep ladder, walked aft along the maindeck past the wardroom, descended another ladder, and finally emerged into a large flat lit by electricity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Behind the rifle-racks came some of the officers' cabins, through the open doorways of which one was vouchsafed an occasional fleeting glimpse of sea and sky framed in the circular opening of a scuttle in the ship's side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To starboard was a bulkhead with rifles in racks, their blued barrels gleaming dully in the glare of the electric bulbs.
