used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
rid of obstructions
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
divisible by two
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
imperceptibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbəl/
impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
conformity or harmony
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
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 WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
maintainedadjectiveUS /meɪnˈteɪnd/
kept in good condition
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
paddlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
to become aware of through the senses
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
preconcertedadjective
previously arranged or agreed on
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
cut with a saw
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
transport commercially
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
in the near future
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
taffrailnoun
the railing around the stern of a ship
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading We saw, too, a single dark figure leaning on the taffrail, which became clear as we drew nearer.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was surprised to perceive that we had come up astern of the ship--quite without reason I had expected to find her lying bow on.
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 WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading WE ATTACK In the darkness and rain we soon lost sight even of those nearest us on each side, but we knew by the occasional almost imperceptible whisper of a paddle in the water, or by the faintest murmur of speech, that the others were keeping pace with us.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Approaching the ship more closely, we made out the rigging, which the soft yellow light of the lantern dimly revealed.
but in spite of that
From this reading To this day I do not understand how the paddlers maintained the proper intervals in our line of attack; yet maintain them they did, by some means or other, according to a preconcerted plan, for we advanced without hurry or hesitation.
