used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
brassesnounUS /ˈbræsɪz/
plural of “brass” — an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
deckhandnoun
a member of a ship's crew who performs manual labor
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
DotnounUS /dɑːt/
a very small circular shape
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
the organ of sight
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
set up or found
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
a young female
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
Howbridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
inflammationnounUS /ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən/
a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
and nothing more
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
LukenounUS /luːk/
(New Testament) the Apostle closely associated with St. Paul and traditionally assumed to be the author of the third Gospel
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
the force of workers available
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
a form of address for a man
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
Neale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
not any; not one
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
O'Neil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
polishingnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃɪŋ/
the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
quizzicallyadverb
in a quizzical and questioning manner
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
cut with a saw
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
shipgoing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
in the near future
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
spilledverbUS /spɪld/
past form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
steamshipnounUS /ˈstiːmʃɪp/
a ship powered by one or more steam engines
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
tannedadjectiveUS /tænd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
express in words
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
Tess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
precisely as stated
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading THE GIRL FROM THE BACK BAY Neale O’Neil tried to keep his eye on Tess and Dot, as he had promised Mr. Howbridge and Ruth, and he succeeded pretty well in doing so.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
at the time that
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But from a certain deeply tanned and quizzically smiling deckhand, whom they first met polishing brasses, Tess and Dot gained a deal of what Dot insisted upon calling “inflammation” about various things.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Just what they talked about, and all the wonderful things they learned of ships and shipgoing, they found little time to tell the other girls or Neale and Luke.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading But the children made their own friends very soon, and when Neale saw them conversing with some of the passengers, or making inquiries of the men working about the deck, he felt sure that they really could be in no mischief.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Some of this knowledge “spilled over,” as Neale said, at the cabin concert, without which no pleasant steamship voyage would be complete.
