used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
affectionatelyadverbUS /əˈfekʃənətli/
with affection
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
convenientadjectiveUS /kənˈviːnjənt/
suited to your comfort or purpose or needs
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
DeweynounUS /ˈduːi/
United States librarian who founded the decimal system of classification (1851-1931)
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
executivenounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətɪv/
a person responsible for the administration of a business
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
fleckedadjective
having a pattern of dots
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
a person of German nationality
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
idealadjectiveUS /aɪˈdiːl/
conforming to an ultimate standard of perfection or excellence; embodying an ideal
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
MacknounUS /mæk/
a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
McClure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
nationalitynounUS /ˌnæʃəˈnæləti/
people having common origins or traditions and often comprising a nation
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
not any; not one
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
periscopesnounUS /ˈperəskoʊps/
plural of “periscope” — an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
quandarynounUS /ˈkwɑːndəri/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
raidverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
RAIDERSnounUS /ˈreɪdərz/
plural of “raider” — someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
sentinelnounUS /ˈsentənəl/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
speculatingverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “speculate” — to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
not known
From this reading Lieutenant McClure and his executive officer peered intently though the periscopes, hoping to catch sight of the unknown craft and speculating on her nationality.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
look attentively
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
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 GERMAN RAIDERS As the _Dewey_ settled into the water.
We'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We'll lie right here and watch him awhile," he told his executive officer.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "Little Mack," as the crew had affectionately named their commander, was in a quandary as to whether the approaching vessel was friend or foe.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sky was flecked with clouds and there was no convenient moon to aid the submarine sentinel---an ideal night for a raid!
