used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
a youthful male person
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
BRIGnounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
brig's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
cheeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
contentmentnounUS /kənˈtentmənt/
happiness with one's situation in life
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
Corlaer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
creamyadjectiveUS /ˈkriːmi/
of the color of cream
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
Darby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
deadlightnoun
a strong shutter over a ship's porthole that is closed in stormy weather
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
separated into parts or pieces
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
exhaustionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən/
extreme fatigue
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
greenishadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːnɪʃ/
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
groaningverbUS /ˈɡroʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
hullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
without good reason
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
most important element
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
MicenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
not divisible by two
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
on one occasion
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
painsnounUS /peɪnz/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
panelingnounUS /ˈpænəlɪŋ/
a panel or section of panels in a wall or door
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
plankingnounUS /ˈplæŋkɪŋ/
planks collectively; a quantity of planks
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
raynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
except for; apart from
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
snortingnounUS /ˈsnɔːrtɪŋ/
an act of forcible exhalation
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
streamingadjectiveUS /ˈstriːmɪŋ/
exuding a bodily fluid in profuse amounts
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
the rays of the sun
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
swissh-ssh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
swiveledverbUS /ˈswɪvəld/
past form of “swivel” — turn on a pivot
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Corlaer was sleeping the sleep of utter exhaustion, and I was at pains not to disturb him as I slipped to the floor, opened the door and entered the main cabin.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mice were cheeping in the paneling at my elbow; the timbers and planking of the hull were groaning and snorting; there was a soothing swissh-ssh of divided waters; and the brig herself was swaying easily in a following sea.
which person or people
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading This was deserted save for the boy Darby, who was curled up on the seat under the stern windows, peering out at the brig’s creamy wake.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading ABOARD THE BRIG I woke with a ray of sunshine streaming across my face through the thick, greenish glass of a deadlight and an odd feeling of contentment.
a late time of life
From this reading He heard the door close after me and swiveled round at once, landing lightly on his feet as if he had been to sea for years.
