used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
eagerly desirous
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
ENDEAVOURnounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading FURTHER ENDEAVOUR.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
floatsnounUS /floʊts/
plural of “float” — the time interval between the deposit of a check in a bank and its payment
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
forethoughtnounUS /ˈfɔːrθɔːt/
planning or plotting in advance of acting
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading FURTHER ENDEAVOUR.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
guy-poles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
MacNicols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
netnounUS /net/
a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
not any; not one
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
on the contrary
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
Rob's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
saithe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
sandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
tailor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
verticaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtɪkəl/
at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was, as has been mentioned in the previous chapter, nearly dusk--an excellent time for catching saithe, if saithe were about.
at the time that
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
in or at the place that
From this reading So they got into the tailor's boat, and rowed away round the point to a sandy bay where they had nothing to fear from rocks on this their first experiment.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That was indeed an anxious time when the four MacNicols proceeded to try the net on which they had spent so much forethought and labour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They had no great expectation of catching fish this evening; their object was rather to try whether the ropes would hold, whether the floats would be sufficient, and whether Rob's guy-poles would keep the net vertical.
