used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
boat-lengths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading At last the command came.
consul's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
earshotnounUS /ˈɪrʃɑːt/
the range within which a voice can be heard
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
gasolinenounUS /ˈɡæsəliːn/
a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
immediately past
From this reading At last the command came.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
engage in
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
midshipman'snounUS /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmənz/
possessive form of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
motor-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
in the near future
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
promontorynoun
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Closer and closer came the sharp, insistent bark of the gasoline motor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
They're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Presently a dark shadow glided by at about six boat-lengths from the consul’s launch, lying crouched, as it were, in the shadow of the promontory.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “They’re evidently not afraid of being followed,” whispered Ned, as they waited the midshipman’s word to start up their craft.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The young officer had hesitated to give it sooner, as he wanted to make sure of being out of earshot of the leading motor-boat before he started.
