used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
(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 Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
any thing at all
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
barrelnounUS /ˈbærəl/
a tube through which a bullet travels when a gun is fired
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
confined by bonds
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
corduroynounUS /ˈkɔːrdərɔɪ/
a cut pile fabric with vertical ribs; usually made of cotton
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
an old word for “before”
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
flapsnounUS /flæps/
a movable airfoil that is part of an aircraft wing; used to increase lift or drag
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
hawsernoun
large heavy rope for nautical use
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
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 I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
for more time
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
not any; not one
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
signal-staff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
the upper part of anything
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
washedadjectiveUS /wɑːʃt/
clean by virtue of having been washed in water
From this reading So far as being washed away was concerned, I had no longer anything to fear.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Had the keeping close to the signal-staff been all that was wanted I should have done well enough, but, alas!
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The post itself might go, but not without me, or I without it.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading From that time forward I was as much part of the signal-staff as the barrel at its top--indeed, more, I fancy--for a ship's hawser would not have bound me faster to it than did the flaps of that strong corduroy.
but in spite of that
From this reading I was not yet out of danger; and it was not long ere I perceived that my situation was but little improved.
