used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
Armitage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
rid of obstructions
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
cleaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A green Very star cleaved the night.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
drabadjectiveUS /dræb/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
FlotillanounUS /floʊˈtɪlə/
a United States Navy fleet consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Suddenly Armitage leaned forward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
GoatnounUS /ɡoʊt/
any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading A green Very star cleaved the night.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
ten 10s
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Suddenly Armitage leaned forward.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
lighthousenounUS /ˈlaɪthaʊs/
a tower with a light that gives warning of shoals to passing ships
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
luridadjectiveUS /ˈlʊrəd/
horrible in fierceness or savagery
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
marine'snounUS /mərˈiːnz/
possessive form of “marine” — a member of the United States Marine Corps
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
mechanicsnounUS /məˈkænɪks/
the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
modelnounUS /ˈmɑːdəl/
a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
overallsnounUS /ˈoʊvərɔːlz/
plural of “overall” — (usually plural) work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
the act of departing politely
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
regulationnounUS /ˌreɡjəˈleɪʃən/
an authoritative rule
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
searchlightnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
transport commercially
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading A green Very star cleaved the night.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly Armitage leaned forward.
TAMEverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
TORPEDOnounUS /tɔːrˈpiːdoʊ/
a professional killer who uses a gun
From this reading THE TAME TORPEDO That night Lieutenant Armitage, in a marine's drab shirt and overalls, stood among a silent group of mechanics on a pier near the Goat Island lighthouse.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
precisely as stated
From this reading A green Very star cleaved the night.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
at the time that
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
whirringnounUS /ˈwɜːrɪŋ/
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading When he straightened there came a dull report, a lurid flash of light, and with a sharp whirring sound a model torpedo about half the regulation size, leaped through the darkness and with a clear parting of the waters disappeared.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A few hundred feet out lay a small practice torpedo boat, with the rays of a searchlight from the bridge of the parent ship of the First Flotilla resting full upon her.
