afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
billetnounUS /ˈbɪlət/
a short personal letter
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
a youthful male person
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
buglenounUS /ˈbjuːɡəl/
a brass instrument without valves; used for military calls and fanfares
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
disastrousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzæstrəs/
(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
one or the other of two
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
Flink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
grumblingnounUS /ˈɡrʌmbəlɪŋ/
a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
hammocksnounUS /ˈhæməks/
plural of “hammock” — a small natural hill
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
knacknounUS /næk/
a special way of doing something
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
with speed
From this reading Dan caught the knack of it more quickly, and so did Flink.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Sam had turned in after several disastrous attempts and much quiet grumbling.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
having come into contact
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sam’s billet was next to that of Louis Flink.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So close were their hammocks that either boy might have reached out and touched the other.
at the time that
From this reading The former was not aware of this until that night, when the lads turned in at the sound of the bugle.
