used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
(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 So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
annoyverbUS /əˈnɔɪ/
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
an occurrence of something
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
consortverbUS /kənˈsɔːrt/
keep company with; hang out with
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
DallasnounUS /ˈdæləs/
a large commercial and industrial city in northeastern Texas located in the heart of the northern Texas oil fields
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
one or the other of two
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
an opposing military force
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
fearfullyadverb
in fear
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
hazardsnounUS /ˈhæzərdz/
plural of “hazard” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
invaluableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvæljəbəl/
having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
immediately past
From this reading "I understand, sir," said Dallas; "and I will hold the rock to the last."
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
something that is lost
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
held or filled or in use
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
and nothing more
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
by chance
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
cut with a saw
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
sinkverbUS /sɪŋk/
fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
term of address for a man
From this reading "I understand, sir," said Dallas; "and I will hold the rock to the last."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
in the near future
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
suppliedverbUS /səˈplaɪd/
inflected form of “supply” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I understand, sir," said Dallas; "and I will hold the rock to the last."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
(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 Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
in or at the place that
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Either I or my consort will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with stores before those you have get low."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading So you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards.
