used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
accidentallyadverbUS /ˌæksəˈdentəli/
without advance planning
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
from one side of something to the other
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
at or in the front
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
aquascope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
AustinnounUS /ˈɔːstən/
state capital of Texas on the Colorado River; site of the University of Texas
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading "What's up, Cap?" he inquired casually.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
casuallyadverbUS /ˈkæʒəwəli/
not methodically or according to plan
From this reading "What's up, Cap?" he inquired casually.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
ClosingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
compartmentnounUS /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/
a space into which an area is subdivided
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
power to direct or determine
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What's up, Cap?" he inquired casually.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "What's up, Cap?" he inquired casually.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
Jules
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
without good reason
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
in motion
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
NautilusnounUS /ˈnɔːtələs/
a submarine that is propelled by nuclear power
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
move upward
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
salvageverbUS /ˈsælvədʒ/
save from ruin, destruction, or harm
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
transport commercially
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
SuperintendentnounUS /ˌsuːpərənˈtendənt/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "What's up, Cap?" he inquired casually.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
VernenounUS /vɜːrn/
French writer who is considered the father of science fiction (1828-1905)
From this reading The _Nautilus_ was moving slowly to and fro with the rise and fall of the tide, but her progress forward through the water had been checked by a signal to the engine room of the mother ship, the _Jules Verne_.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Austin was peering intently straight ahead through 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 Austin was peering intently straight ahead through the water.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's up, Cap?" he inquired casually.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED FIND Closing the aquascope of the _Nautilus_ with a quick turn of the air control, Superintendent Brown stepped lightly across the diving compartment of the new salvage ship to the side of the fleet captain.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading "Looks like we had accidentally run upon a wreck our first day out."
