used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading "I'm sure they are!" asserted Ruth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
basinnounUS /ˈbeɪsən/
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
BluebirdnounUS /ˈbluːbɜːrd/
fruit-eating mostly brilliant blue songbird of the East Indies
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
grabbedverbUS /ɡræbd/
inflected form of “grab” — take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
guidingadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdɪŋ/
exerting control or influence
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
houseboatnounUS /ˈhaʊsboʊt/
a barge that is designed and equipped for use as a dwelling
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure they are!" asserted Ruth.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
of the present time and place
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
fasten with a lock
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
lockingnounUS /ˈlɑːkɪŋ/
the act of locking something up to protect it
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
the force of workers available
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
a particular point in time
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
momentumnounUS /moʊˈmentəm/
an impelling force or strength
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
Neale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
O'Neil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading "I'm sure they are!" asserted Ruth.
Ruth'snounUS /ruːθs/
possessive form of “ruth” — United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
steeringnounUS /ˈstɪrɪŋ/
the act of guiding or showing the way
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I'm sure they are!" asserted Ruth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That one steering is the man who grabbed the box from me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I'm sure they are!" asserted Ruth.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
tillernounUS /ˈtɪlər/
a shoot that sprouts from the base of a grass
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Are those the men?" asked Neale, pointing to two roughly dressed characters in a small motor boat.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
at the time that
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
which person or people
From this reading UP THE RIVER Neale O'Neil, who had been steering the houseboat during the operation of locking it from the canal into the river, sprang away from the tiller toward the side of the craft at Ruth's cries.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was no immediate need of guiding the _Bluebird_ for the moment, as she was floating idly with the momentum gained when she was slowly pulled from the lock basin.
