used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
GAINESverbUS /ɡeɪnz/
third-person singular of “gain” — obtain
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
gangwaynoun
a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
haltedverbUS /ˈhɔːltəd/
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
MAJORadjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
manifestedverbUS /ˈmænəfestəd/
past form of “manifest” — provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
not any; not one
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
go across or through
From this reading He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
Pierson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
retainedadjectiveUS /rɪˈteɪnd/
continued in your keeping or use or memory
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
in the near future
From this reading He halted as soon as he had mounted the rail, over which he must pass to reach the deck.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
someone who visits
From this reading The owner and the commander stood near the rail, to give the visitor a pleasant reception.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the major took no notice of them; for his attention was plainly absorbed in his surprise at seeing his brother, dressed in uniform, on the rail of the steamer.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As the latter went up, he could not help seeing him; and his astonishment evidently mounted to the highest degree, as manifested in his expression.
at the time that
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE MAJOR IN COMMAND OF FORT GAINES Percy Pierson retained his position on the rail when his brother the major came up the gangway steps, which had been put over for him.
