used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
boatswain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
brushesnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪz/
plural of “brush” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
crewsnounUS /kruːz/
plural of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
forecastlenoun
living quarters consisting of a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
gun-turrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
hatchesnounUS /ˈhætʃɪz/
plural of “hatch” — the production of young from an egg
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
the force of workers available
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
minesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
not any; not one
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
openingsnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋz/
plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
paintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
quietsnounUS /ˈkwaɪəts/
plural of “quiet” — a period of calm weather
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading “Water too rough.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
scrubbedadjectiveUS /skrʌbd/
made clean by scrubbing
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
transport commercially
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No mine drill to-day,” sang out a boatswain’s mate, as he passed along the forecastle.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “Water too rough.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
turretsnounUS /ˈtɜːrəts/
plural of “turret” — a small tower extending above a building
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading “Water too rough.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading If the weather quiets down, however, there may be something else doing.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Instead of a day in the small boats laying mines, as had been planned, the men were to have another field day, painting ship, after the decks had been scrubbed down.
in or at the place that
From this reading Gun crews got out their pots and brushes, then crawled through the narrow openings into the gun-turrets, first having thrown open the hatches on top of the turrets, to let in enough light to enable them to see where to paint.
