used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
CAISSONnounUS /ˈkeɪsən/
an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
From this reading THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
CommodorenounUS /ˈkɑːmədɔːr/
a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a captain and below a rear admiral; the lowest grade of admiral
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
an opposing military force
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
roused to anger
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
engage in
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
OscarnounUS /ˈɔːskər/
an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
pike-poles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
pikesnounUS /paɪks/
plural of “pike” — a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
shovingverbUS /ˈʃʌvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shove” — come into rough contact with while moving
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
and nothing more
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
spikesnounUS /spaɪks/
plural of “spike” — a transient variation in voltage or current
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
required or under orders
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
SylphnounUS /sɪlf/
a slender graceful young woman
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RESULT OF THE BATTLE ON THE CAISSON.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
townounUS /toʊ/
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
Twinker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Commodore Mad Twinker could not help seeing the preparations on board of the caisson for the reception of his party.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading Doubtless he supposed the weapons were simply to be used in shoving the barges away from the tow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
at the time that
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He saw the pike-poles, but he could not know that the ends were armed with spikes.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Oscar Chester saw at a glance, when the party on the caisson picked up the pikes, that the captain of the Sylph was likely to make bad work with the boats of the enemy.
