used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
ADRIFTadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
AGROUNDadjectiveUS /əˈɡraʊnd/
stuck in a place where a ship can no longer float
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
bitts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
put or send forth
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
clamouringnoun
loud and persistent outcry from many people
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
Craddock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
recognizable; marked
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
hammeringnounUS /ˈhæmərɪŋ/
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
linksnounUS /lɪŋks/
a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
not any; not one
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
with speed
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
move hurridly
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
scopenounUS /skoʊp/
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
get by special effort
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
securingverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrɪŋ/
-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
VainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading Vainly Peter tried to secure the rapidly running chain, for the anchor had now obtained a firm hold.
precisely as stated
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading ADRIFT--THEN AGROUND "I MUST give her more chain," decided Peter, aware of a violent hammering on the cabin doors, but paying no heed to the clamouring of the prisoner to be let out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was an easy matter to cast off the turns of the chain round the bitts.
(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 But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
at the time that
From this reading But when it came to checking and securing the cable, well, that was a very different matter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With a rush and a rattle the links ran out, until Craddock decided that he had given enough scope.
