used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
AsiaticnounUS /ˌeɪʒiˈætɪk/
a native or inhabitant of Asia
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
BrantnounUS /brænt/
small dark geese that breed in the north and migrate southward
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
chessboardnounUS /ˈtʃesbɔːrd/
a checkerboard used to play chess
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
chessmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
complexnounUS /ˈkɑːmpleks/
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
concentratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪd/
gathered together or made less diffuse
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
flakingverbUS /ˈfleɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “flake” — form into flakes
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
freighternounUS /ˈfreɪtər/
a cargo ship
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
glaredverbUS /ɡlerd/
past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
heavinessnoun
the property of being comparatively great in weight
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
hobbynounUS /ˈhɑːbi/
an auxiliary activity
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
hunchedadjectiveUS /hʌntʃt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
movesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
newestadjectiveUS /ˈnuːəst/
superlative of “new” — not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
obliviousadjectiveUS /əˈblɪviəs/
(followed by “to” or “of”) lacking conscious awareness of
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
in other respects or ways
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
ovennounUS /ˈʌvən/
kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
penetratedverbUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪd/
past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
RicknounUS /rɪk/
a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
transport commercially
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
shortsnounUS /ʃɔːrts/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
sweatnounUS /swet/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
three-dimensionaladjectiveUS /ˌθriːzdɪˈmenʃənəl/
involving or relating to three dimensions or aspects; giving the illusion of depth
From this reading They sat hunched over a three-dimensional chessboard, studying the complex moves of their newest hobby.
three-layer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The heaviness of the tropical heat outside the ship penetrated through the steel and flaking paint of the deck to turn the cabin into an oven.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Printed in the United States of America_ It was hot in the cabin of the freighter _Asiatic Dream_.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Rick Brant and Don Scott, stripped to their shorts, were oblivious of the heat.
wipeverbUS /waɪp/
rub with a circular motion
From this reading Now and then they glared at each other, or paused to wipe the sweat from their faces or arms, but otherwise they concentrated on the three-layer board and the chessmen.
