used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
(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 The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
confined by bonds
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
not accessible to view
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
followersnounUS /ˈfɑːloʊərz/
a group of followers or enthusiasts
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
gagsnounUS /ɡæɡz/
plural of “gag” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
inspectedverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪd/
past form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
the force of workers available
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
get by special effort
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
speedyadjectiveUS /ˈspiːdiː/
characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
not in physical motion
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The prisoners, still bound, were stretched on a robe in the bottom, the Black Star and his men got aboard, and the launch slipped almost noiselessly out into the stream and started down it toward the city.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
vapornounUS /ˈveɪpər/
a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Down on the bank of the river a speedy launch was concealed under overhanging trees.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
at the time that
From this reading Two men were waiting in it when the Black Star, his other followers, and the two prisoners arrived.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading The craft showed its lights properly, but it kept away from all other vessels, and the men aboard crouched down low and spoke in whispers.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading In time the two prisoners groaned and opened their eyes, the effect of the vapor having worn off, and at a sign from the Black Star one of his men inspected bonds and gags and made sure that they were secure.
