used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One blue-bottle, One blue-bottle sat On a milestone.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
accessibleadjectiveUS /ækˈsesəbəl/
capable of being reached
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
(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 He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
blue-bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One blue-bottle, One blue-bottle sat On a milestone.”
blue-bottles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
chattedverbUS /ˈtʃætəd/
inflected form of “chat” — talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
Corbet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
dronenounUS /droʊn/
stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
helmnounUS /helm/
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
immediately past
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
melodiesnounUS /ˈmelədiz/
plural of “melody” — a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
milestonenounUS /ˈmaɪlstoʊn/
stone post at side of a road to show distances
From this reading One blue-bottle, One blue-bottle sat On a milestone.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
nasaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪzəl/
of or in or relating to the nose
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One blue-bottle, One blue-bottle sat On a milestone.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One blue-bottle, One blue-bottle sat On a milestone.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
patriarchaladjectiveUS /ˌpeɪtriˈɑːrkəl/
characteristic of a form of social organization in which the male is the family head and title is traced through the male line
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
pipingnounUS /ˈpaɪpɪŋ/
a thin strip of covered cord used to edge hems
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading One blue-bottle, One blue-bottle sat On a milestone.”
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
deliver by singing
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
solicitationnounUS /səˌlɪsɪˈteɪʃən/
an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
having a supporting base
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had already shown himself so accessible, that all the boys had chatted with him; and at last they insisted that he should sing.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
up to a particular time
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
tremolos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading Gradually the blue-bottles of the song come back, till finally, on the return of the three, the song comes to a triumphant conclusion.
variedadjectiveUS /ˈverid/
characterized by variety
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
precisely as stated
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Captain Corbet did not need very much solicitation; Standing at the helm with his eyes half closed, he began in a thin, shrill, piping, nasal voice, full of queer tremolos and grace notes, to drone out several melodies of a varied character.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Standing at the helm, Captain Corbet gave directions from time to time to the “mate” about sailing the vessel, and listened to the songs of the boys with a patriarchal smile.
