used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
adjustverbUS /əˈdʒʌst/
alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
(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 As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
a lawyer who pleads cases in court
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
crew'snounUS /kruːz/
possessive form of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
differentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪfrəntli/
in another and different manner
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
having the place or position changed
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
docknounUS /dɑːk/
an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
divisible by two
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
evenlyadverbUS /ˈiːvənli/
in equal amounts or shares; in a balanced or impartial way
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
at any time
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
glideverbUS /ɡlaɪd/
move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
locatedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkeɪtəd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
motorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
notifiedverbUS /ˈnoʊtəfaɪd/
inflected form of “notify” — inform (somebody) of something
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
on one occasion
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
reverseverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrs/
change to the contrary
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
ridiculenounUS /ˈrɪdəkjuːl/
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
precisely, exactly
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
Simmons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as he was notified that everything was all right below, Ralph rang for the reverse and the _River Swallow_ backed out from her dock into the darkness that was falling fast.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
SwallowverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊ/
pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
carry out
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
tenornounUS /ˈtenər/
the adult male singing voice above baritone
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
WarenounUS /wer/
articles of the same kind or material; usually used in combination: “silverware”, “software”
From this reading Had the fear of ridicule not held back Harry Ware from telling the others about the figure he had seen glide along the deck and vanish in the crew’s quarters of the _River Swallow_, a great part of the events of that night might have turned out differently.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It is strange upon what slender circumstances big results sometimes depend.
whirringnounUS /ˈwɜːrɪŋ/
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it was, however, Harry kept his counsel, with what results we shall see before long.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
workingsnounUS /ˈwɜːrkɪŋz/
the internal mechanism of a device
From this reading The trouble with the engines once located, it did not take Percy Simmons long to adjust matters, and within half an hour he had the big motors whirring as evenly as if nothing had ever disturbed the even tenor of their workings.
