used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Hello!" called Harry.
cameranounUS /ˈkæmərə/
equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other)
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
coilnounUS /kɔɪl/
a structure consisting of something wound in a continuous series of loops
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
gearnounUS /ɡɪr/
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
HellonounUS /həˈloʊ/
an expression of greeting
From this reading "Hello!" called Harry.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
hoistverbUS /hɔɪst/
raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
immediately past
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
being perceived or observed
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
RANCHnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
sloopnounUS /sluːp/
a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
with low volume
From this reading "Look, Harry!" he exclaimed softly, as his companion crawled from behind the sail.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
stoopingadjectiveUS /ˈstuːpɪŋ/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Bright sunshine streamed down on the cove and there was a brisk breeze.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
at the time that
From this reading FRANK BECOMES A RANCH OWNER Three or four days had passed since the attack on the ranch when one afternoon the boys stood on the deck of the sloop.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The boys had gone down to hoist the mainsail so that it would dry, as it had been rolled up damp when last used; and as Frank straightened himself after stooping to coil up the gear he noticed that a man stood at the edge of the water with a small camera in his hand.
