Chapter XX · Chapter 20

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

later than; following

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

(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 the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

plural of “battleship” — large and heavily armoured warship

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

plural of “description” — a statement that represents something in words

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

possessive form of “fischer” — German chemist noted for his synthesis of hemin (1881-1945)

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

United States architect who formed and important architectural firm with John Merven Carrere (1860-1929)

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE TRAP IS SPRUNG.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

a small worthless amount

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Lord Hastings nodded but made no reply.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

not any; not one

From this reading Lord Hastings nodded but made no reply.

inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding

From this reading Lord Hastings nodded but made no reply.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

inflected form of “patrol” — maintain the security of by carrying out a patrol

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation

From this reading Lord Hastings nodded but made no reply.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

term of address for a man

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds

From this reading THE TRAP IS SPRUNG.

past form of “station” — assign to a station

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE TRAP IS SPRUNG.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

in or at that place or location

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading THE TRAP IS SPRUNG.

a base containing nitrogen that is found in RNA (but not in DNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

precisely as stated

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.

plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "Admiral Fischer's orders have been followed out, sir," said Jack in a low voice.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading As the three officers aboard the U-16 knew, British battleships and vessels of war of all descriptions had been stationed all along the Thames, many of them patrolling the very mouth of the river.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But now, as Lord Hastings, Jack and Frank stood upon the bridge of the little submarine after it had entered the mouth of Thames, there was not a vessel of any kind to be seen in the darkness.