used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
accuratelyadverbUS /ˈækjərətli/
with few mistakes
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
at or in the front
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
AlabamanounUS /ˌæləˈbæmə/
a state in the southeastern United States on the Gulf of Mexico; one of the Confederate states during the American Civil War
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
Bellevite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
hailing-distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
only a very short time before
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
LeopardnounUS /ˈlepərd/
the pelt of a leopard
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
long-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
engage in
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
nondescriptadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːndɪˈskrɪpt/
lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
north-westadverb
to, toward, or in the northwest
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
Pierson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
in the near future
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
precisely as stated
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
(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 THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
