used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
move towards
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Away sea-boat's crew!"
beamnounUS /biːm/
a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
CLEARINGnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading "Away sea-boat's crew!"
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Then through the night came a crisp order:
crutchesnounUS /ˈkrʌtʃɪz/
plural of “crutch” — a wooden or metal staff that fits under the armpit and reaches to the ground; used by disabled person while walking
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
discernverbUS /dɪˈsɜːrn/
detect with the senses
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Then through the night came a crisp order:
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
and nothing more
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Then through the night came a crisp order:
Patrol-leader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
plashverb
interlace the shoots of
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
sea-boat's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Away sea-boat's crew!"
searchlightnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
make steady
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then through the night came a crisp order:
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Then through the night came a crisp order:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
warshipnounUS /ˈwɔːrʃɪp/
a government ship that is available for waging war
From this reading CLEARING UP THE MYSTERY THE Patrol-leader could only surmise that the searchlight came from a British warship.
warship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The steady plash of oars and the creaking of crutches announced the approach of the warship's boat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to discern the source of that blinding beam or to form any idea of the distance from which it came.
