used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
buildernounUS /ˈbɪldər/
a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
ClydenounUS /klaɪd/
a river in western Scotland that flows from the southern uplands into the Firth of Clyde; navigable by oceangoing vessels as far as Glasgow
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
DolphinnounUS /ˈdɑːlfən/
large slender food and game fish widely distributed in warm seas (especially around Hawaii)
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
at any time
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
FederalistsnounUS /ˈfedərəlɪsts/
plural of “federalist” — a member of a former political party in the United States that favored a strong centralized federal government
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
gulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
luxurynounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəri/
something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
not any; not one
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
patentverbUS /ˈpætənt/
obtain a patent for
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
with speed
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
on the contrary
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
relyverbUS /rɪˈlaɪ/
have faith or confidence in
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
express in words
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
schooner-masts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
seventeenadjectiveUS /ˈsevənˈtiːn/
being one more than sixteen
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
move hurridly
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
in or at that place or location
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
in the direction of
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
the act of testing something
From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GETTING UNDER SAIL The _Dolphin_ was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the _Dolphin_ did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
but in spite of that
From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
