used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
AdanounUS /ˈeɪdə/
an enzyme found in mammals that can catalyze the deamination of adenosine into inosine and ammonia
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
anew
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
attentionsnounUS /əˈtenʃənz/
plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
beamyadjective
broad in the beam
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
boilersnounUS /ˈbɔɪlərz/
plural of “boiler” — sealed vessel where water is converted to steam
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
boomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
broad-side-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
cordnounUS /kɔːrd/
a line made of twisted fibers or threads
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
deckhands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
gang-plank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
gaugeverbUS /ɡeɪdʒ/
judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
ten 10s
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
lengthsnounUS /leŋkθs/
plural of “length” — the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
for more time
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
the force of workers available
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
paddle-wheeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
riverboats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
rivermen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
roaringnounUS /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/
a deep prolonged loud noise
From this reading The fires were roaring beneath her boilers, and the gauge was beginning to move.
shackling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
shallow-draftadjective
of vessels whose keel is not far below the waterline
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
Sophie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
teakettlenoun
kettle for boiling water to make tea
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
trottedverbUS /ˈtrɑːtɪd/
inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Out in the darkness, by the fitful light of lanterns, half a dozen big riverboats crowded with men, were shackling up short lengths of boom into longer ones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From the pile, across her gang-plank and back again, trotted an endless procession of deckhands and rivermen, carrying the big sticks that were her fuel.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The _Sophie Green_, a beamy, shallow-draft, paddle-wheeled old teakettle, lay broad-side-on to a rickety wharf which was piled with cord wood.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading A hundred yards away, at another cord wood pile, her sister craft, the _Ada Bell_, was receiving like attentions.
