used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
anew
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
(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 THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
batteriesnounUS /ˈbætəriz/
plural of “battery” — group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading "The storage batteries!" was all he said.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
crawledverbUS /krɔːld/
past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "The storage batteries!" was all he said.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
incoherentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkoʊˈhɪrənt/
without logical or meaningful connection
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
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 That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
most important element
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
NIGHT'SnounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
not any; not one
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
remedynounUS /ˈremədi/
act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "The storage batteries!" was all he said.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
storagenounUS /ˈstɔːrədʒ/
the act of storing something
From this reading "The storage batteries!" was all he said.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
sub-lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
totalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The storage batteries!" was all he said.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The captain crawled past the boys and felt his way toward the stern of the vessel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That there was confusion on the part of the crew of the vessel, was apparent, for the sub-lieutenant shouted one order after the other, until he seemed to be incoherent, and, as a result, no one knew what was expected of him or what to do.
at the time that
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Evidently, the captain knew the trouble and how to remedy it, for within a minute the lights were again in commission, and the captain was noticed at the main switch.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading THE NIGHT'S STRUGGLE TO FREE THE VESSEL The boys wondered at the remark which the captain had made, and were about to ask him for an explanation, when the electric lights suddenly died out, and all were left in total darkness.
