used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
baconnounUS /ˈbeɪkən/
back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
bagsnounUS /bæɡz/
plural of “bag” — a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
Calvert's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
put or send forth
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
DaybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
promote over another
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
an indirect suggestion
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
houseboatnounUS /ˈhaʊsboʊt/
a barge that is designed and equipped for use as a dwelling
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
lowestadjectiveUS /ˈloʊəst/
lowest in rank or importance
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
pilot'snounUS /ˈpaɪləts/
possessive form of “pilot” — someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
RicknounUS /rɪk/
a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
runaboutnounUS /ˈrʌnəbaʊt/
an open automobile having a front seat and a rumble seat
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Daybreak is the lowest peak of daily activity," Steve said as they climbed into the runabout.
Scotty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
the state of being asleep
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
Steve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Steve had breakfast cooking when they arrived at the farmhouse, and after coffee, bacon, and eggs, they started on their mission.
tied-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The boys had spent the night--or most of it--aboard the houseboat, until the alarm pulled them from their sleeping bags at four o'clock.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
at the time that
From this reading Calvert's Favor There was a faint hint of coming daylight in the eastern sky when Rick, Steve, and Scotty walked down the pier to the tied-up boats.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He took the pilot's seat, while Rick and Scotty prepared to cast off.
