used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
BakernounUS /ˈbeɪkər/
someone who bakes commercially
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
BattlesnounUS /ˈbætəlz/
plural of “battle” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
ethicsnounUS /ˈeθɪks/
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
accept an excuse for
From this reading “Some excuse, perhaps,” he said at last.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Some excuse, perhaps,” he said at last.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
immediately past
From this reading “Some excuse, perhaps,” he said at last.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
a particular point in time
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
a form of address for a man
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
NelsonnounUS /ˈnelsən/
English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
by chance
From this reading “Some excuse, perhaps,” he said at last.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Some excuse, perhaps,” he said at last.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Some excuse, perhaps,” he said at last.
Starbuck's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
strokingnounUS /ˈstroʊkɪŋ/
a light touch with the hands
From this reading Captain Nelson was quiet for a moment, stroking his beard, which had got pretty ragged.
carry out
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
vehementadjectiveUS /ˈviːəmənt/
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
precisely as stated
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading “Kind of a row with Fred three or four weeks before we sailed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
whalingverbUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “whale” — hunt for whales
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Our officers were all highly indignant at the conduct of the Battles, which was contrary to all the ethics of whaling, if not to the law of the high seas.
which person or people
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I overheard Captain Nelson talking with Mr. Baker, who got very vehement about it, and wanted to take Starbuck’s whale away from them by force.
