used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
altercationnounUS /ˌɑːltərˈkeɪʃən/
noisy quarrel
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
colliernounUS /ˈkɑːljər/
someone who works in a coal mine
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
curtainedadjective
furnished or concealed with curtains or draperies
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
DAVISnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
for more time
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
mooringsnounUS /ˈmuːrɪŋz/
plural of “mooring” — a place where a craft can be made fast
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
on one occasion
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
port-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading I rose at once, and placed my ear to the glass of the curtained port-hole.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
sirennounUS /ˈsaɪrən/
a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
SPEAKSverbUS /spiːks/
third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
express a supposition
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
at the time that
From this reading When one is watching eagerly, however, time always appears longer.
WHEREIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEREIN CAPTAIN DAVIS SPEAKS HIS MIND I suppose I must have crouched there for a full half-hour.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
belonging to which person
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Suddenly I heard the voices within raised, as if in altercation.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The steamer whose siren had awakened the echoes of the port had swung from her moorings, and slowly glided past us to the open sea, making a southward course; while work on the collier appeared to be finished, and the whole port had settled down to the peace of night.
