used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
(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 It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
bribenounUS /braɪb/
payment made to a person in a position of trust to corrupt his judgment
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
COMEDYnounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/
light and humorous drama with a happy ending
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
DownesverbUS /daʊnz/
third-person singular of “down” — drink down entirely
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
one or the other of two
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
divisible by two
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
interferedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/
past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
landingnounUS /ˈlændɪŋ/
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
engage in
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
mooredverbUS /mʊrd/
past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
no person; not anyone
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
openlyadverbUS /ˈoʊpənli/
in an open way
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
padlocknounUS /ˈpædlɑːk/
a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and then snapped shut
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
PROVESverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
rowboatnounUS /ˈroʊboʊt/
a small boat of shallow draft with cross thwarts for seats and rowlocks for oars with which it is propelled
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
scaredadjectiveUS /skerd/
made afraid
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
sculled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
sloopnounUS /sluːp/
a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
sneakverbUS /sniːk/
to go stealthily or furtively
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
TRAGEDYnounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
unlockedadjectiveUS /ənˈlɑːkt/
not firmly fastened or secured
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
precisely as stated
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
visitationnounUS /ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən/
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
Wavecrest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
wended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
in or at the place that
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH AN EXPECTED COMEDY PROVES TO BE A TRAGEDY I knew well enough that my cousin, Paul Downes, was too thoroughly scared by my threat to have him arrested for assault, to openly make an attack upon either my boat or myself.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I chuckled to myself while I wended my way to the shore, carrying a single oar with me, and unlocked the padlock of the chain which fastened my rowboat to the landing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But his money could bribe such fellows as I had seen him with that very day, to sink the Wavecrest, or even to assault me in the dark.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading There was nobody about, and I pushed out and sculled over to the Wavecrest without being interfered with.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be a joke on Paul--so I thought--if he or his friends should sneak out to the sloop where she was moored, intending to do her some harm, and find me there all ready for such a visitation.
