used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
at or in the front
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
(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 All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
alterverbUS /ˈɔːltər/
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
bearingsnounUS /ˈberɪŋz/
plural of “bearing” — relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
for the reason that
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
cause to be bored
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
CaribbeannounUS /kərˈɪbiən/
an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between North and South America; the origin of the Gulf stream
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
chartnounUS /tʃɑːrt/
a visual display of information
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
without stop or interruption
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
without deviation
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
one or the other of two
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
set up or found
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
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 All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
hurricanenounUS /ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/
a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
landmarksnounUS /ˈlændmɑːrks/
plural of “landmark” — the position of a prominent or well-known object in a particular landscape
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
the production of eggs (especially in birds)
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
marinernounUS /ˈmerənər/
a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
the middle of the day
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
OscarnounUS /ˈɔːskər/
an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
recognizeverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All through that hot day they continued to push ahead.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading By taking the usual observation at noon he found his bearings, and could alter his course more or less in consequence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
in or at the place that
From this reading The captain knew where the Key lay that was to be his destination, and being a good mariner, he was laying his course directly thither.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then there were small islands they passed from time to time, some of which bore characteristics that he could recognize, either from having seen them before, or because they were thus described on his chart as landmarks.
a late time of life
From this reading “The skipper tells me he has sailed all through the Caribbean many a time in years that are past,” Oscar informed his two chums that afternoon, as they sat there on the “hurricane deck” and took things easy.
