used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
for the reason that
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
berthnounUS /bɜːrθ/
a job in an organization
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
DomingonounUS /doʊˈmɪŋɡoʊ/
Spanish operatic tenor noted for performances in operas by Verdi and Puccini (born in 1941)
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
DutchadjectiveUS /dʌtʃ/
of or relating to the Netherlands or its people or culture
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
the act of departing
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
liberaladjectiveUS /ˈlɪbɜːrəl/
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
and nothing more
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
unusual or striking
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My mother seemed always to have a kind of faith that he was alive, and she hoped I might hear of him at Surinam.
Sheldrakenoun
large crested fish-eating diving duck having a slender hooked bill with serrated edges
From this reading We set sail in November, our vessel being a brig called the Sheldrake.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
SurinamnounUS /ˌsʊrəˈnɑːm/
a republic in northeastern South America on the Atlantic; achieved independence from the Netherlands in 1975
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
in or at that place or location
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
at the time that
From this reading This I accepted, not only because the pay was liberal, but I had a vague notion that I might there hear something of my uncle Ben; for we had always understood that when he left St. Domingo he sailed for that place.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading We proceeded for some time on our voyage without any remarkable occurrence.
a late time of life
From this reading _Adventures in South America._ Being now about seventeen years old, and having the reputation of being a pretty good sailor, I was offered a berth on board a vessel that was going to Surinam, a Dutch settlement in South America.
