used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
subject to appointment
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
avertverbUS /əˈvɜːrt/
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
bargeverbUS /bɑːrdʒ/
push one's way
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
bombnounUS /bɑːm/
an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
BrightonnounUS /ˈbraɪtən/
a city in East Sussex in southern England that is a popular resort; site of the University of Sussex
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
someone who is a detective
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
essentiallyadverbUS /eˈsenʃəli/
in essence; at bottom or by one's (or its) very nature
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
EXPLOSIONnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
fireworksnounUS /ˈfaɪrwɜːrks/
plural of “firework” — (usually plural) a device with an explosive that burns at a low rate and with colored flames; can be used to illuminate areas or send signals etc.
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
freaknounUS /friːk/
a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
goalnounUS /ɡoʊl/
the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
IMPENDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
JaynounUS /dʒeɪ/
United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
latestadjectiveUS /ˈleɪtəst/
up to the immediate present; most recent or most up-to-date
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
in motion
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
NautilusnounUS /ˈnɔːtələs/
a submarine that is propelled by nuclear power
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
not any; not one
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
having a supporting base
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
in or at that place or location
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
except if; if not
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
precisely as stated
From this reading The mechanism represented the very latest scientific thought and the bomb was essentially for submarine work of this character.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
which person or people
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading AN EXPLOSION IMPENDS There was now no chance to avert the explosion of the time bomb within the coal barge.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On the appointed time it would go off as arranged and unless the mechanism by some freak of luck refused to work; but the chances on this score were few indeed.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading "Looks, chum, as though we were in for the fireworks," smiled Dick, who was as cool as though he were standing on the twenty-five yard line at Brighton waiting for the ball to be passed for a try at a goal from the field.
but in spite of that
From this reading Jay had not yet given up hope of getting the _Nautilus_ moving, or of escaping from her in some way.
