used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
anew
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
arknounUS /ɑːrk/
(Judaism) sacred chest where the ancient Hebrews kept the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
buggynounUS /ˈbʌɡi/
a small lightweight carriage; drawn by a single horse
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
someone who is a detective
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
emittedverbUS /ɪˈmɪtəd/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
divisible by two
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
fore-cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
gangboardnoun
a temporary bridge for getting on and off a vessel at dockside
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
gruntnounUS /ɡrʌnt/
the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
hookverbUS /hʊk/
fasten with a hook
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
be the source of pain
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
injurynounUS /ˈɪndʒəri/
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
middle-age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
Muriel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
negativeadjectiveUS /ˈneɡətɪv/
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
non-committal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
performedverbUS /pərˈfɔːrmd/
past form of “perform” — carry out or perform an action
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
with speed
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
on the contrary
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
sirennounUS /ˈsaɪrən/
a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
smilinglyadverbUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋli/
with smiles; in a smiling manner
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
moving very fast
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Aunt Kate gave him a swift, searching glance, then, evidently satisfied by her scrutiny, emitted a non-committal grunt and turned to help her niece to draw the gangboard in again and hook it in place.
unkindlyadjective
lacking in sympathy and kindness
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
unprepossessingadjective
creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dick answered in the negative, and said that he was ashamed that his injury had even been mentioned.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading As Sergeant John Dick followed the buggy aboard the ark, a big, powerful woman of middle-age and rather unprepossessing looks came hurrying out of the door of the fore-cabin.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sergeant Dick would have helped them, but Muriel smilingly waved him back, and the operation was easily and quickly performed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you badly hurt, sergeant?” she asked, in a voice like a ship’s siren, but not in an unkindly tone.
