used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
amazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Van Steen was honestly amazed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
classesnounUS /ˈklæsəz/
plural of “class” — a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
crazyadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪzi/
affected with madness or insanity
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
criminaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmənəl/
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
filibustersnounUS /ˈfɪləbʌstərz/
plural of “filibuster” — a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
flinty-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
a man of refinement
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
honestlyadverbUS /ˈɑːnəstli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading Van Steen was honestly amazed.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
the sound of laughing
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
social deportment
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
moralsnounUS /ˈmɔːrəlz/
motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
easily agitated
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
not any; not one
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
not one, and not any
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
ProfessionaladjectiveUS /prəˈfeʃənəl/
engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
recruitedverbUS /rɪˈkruːtɪd/
past form of “recruit” — register formally as a participant or member
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
roughestadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəst/
superlative of “rough” — having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
sentimentsnounUS /ˈsentəmənts/
plural of “sentiment” — tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
SteennounUS /stiːn/
Dutch genre painter (1626-1679)
From this reading Van Steen was honestly amazed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They could have no morals, no manners, none of the sentiments of a gentleman.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading Van Steen was honestly amazed.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Van Steen was honestly amazed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Professional filibusters were a kind of criminal recruited from the roughest classes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He ventured a final attempt and said with a nervous laugh:
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading This lowering, flinty-faced young skipper must be crazy.