used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
autocratnounUS /ˈɔːtəkræt/
a cruel and oppressive dictator
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
BilkverbUS /bɪlk/
cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
daresay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “What the devil’s this?” he demanded.
devil'snounUS /ˈdevəlz/
possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading “What the devil’s this?” he demanded.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
FellernounUS /ˈfelər/
a person who fells trees
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
hangin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What the devil’s this?” he demanded.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
inquiringlyadverb
in an inquiring manner
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
knobnounUS /nɑːb/
a circular rounded projection or protuberance
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
pilot-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
prepossessingadjective
creating a favorable impression
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
term of address for a man
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The door of the pilot-house swung open and the captain himself stepped out as Bilk reached for the knob.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The eyes of this river autocrat fell inquiringly on me.
unstowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Feller picked up alongside us, hangin’ on by an unstowed line, sir.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I daresay I was not a prepossessing figure in the dull glimmer of a deck lamp.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What the devil’s this?” he demanded.
