used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
anew
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
exhale hard
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
boatswainnounUS /ˈboʊtsweɪn/
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
cruisedverbUS /kruːzd/
past form of “cruise” — drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/
having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
to come or go into
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
frigatenounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/
a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
ironsnounUS /ˈaɪərnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
and nothing more
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
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 As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
immediately past
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
merchantmannoun
a cargo ship
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
information about recent and important events
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
and nothing more
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
quarterdecknounUS /ˈkwɔːrtərdek/
the stern area of a ship's upper deck
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
cut with a saw
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
transport commercially
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
express in speech
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
having a supporting base
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
express in words
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter in.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
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 frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading “For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island, but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
which person or people
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me, and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was to go to the captain.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the water.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to me.
