used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
(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 Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading Dipping and swaying, the brave little vessel raced for home.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
Centerport's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
Clambering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
DippingverbUS /ˈdɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “dip” — immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading Dipping and swaying, the brave little vessel raced for home.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
easedadjectiveUS /iːzd/
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
foresails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
glitteredverbUS /ˈɡlɪtərd/
past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
hauledverbUS /hɔːld/
past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Dipping and swaying, the brave little vessel raced for home.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
mainsailnoun
the lowermost sail on the mainmast
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
outpostsnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊsts/
plural of “outpost” — a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
PorpoisenounUS /ˈpɔːrpəs/
any of several small gregarious cetacean mammals having a blunt snout and many teeth
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
racedverbUS /reɪst/
past form of “race” — move hurridly
From this reading Dipping and swaying, the brave little vessel raced for home.
with speed
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
sloopnounUS /sluːp/
a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
move hurridly
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
make steady
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Dipping and swaying, the brave little vessel raced for home.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
in the direction of
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Clambering aboard they hauled up the mainsail and foresails as rapidly as possible, swung the anchor aboard and laid a course at all possible speed for the comparative safety of the open bay.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Dipping and swaying, the brave little vessel raced for home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
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 Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading At the wheel John did an expert job of getting every bit of speed out of the boat, as they left the western end of Porpoise Island.
in or at the place that
From this reading Fighting for Life They paused but little in covering the distance to the cove where their sloop lay at her anchor and less time was taken in swimming out to her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Far across the water glittered a few lights--the outposts of Centerport’s homes, and towards those lights the boys now headed with sheets eased before the steady bay breeze.
