used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading His exclamation attracted the attention of his companions.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading His exclamation attracted the attention of his companions.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading His exclamation attracted the attention of his companions.
conning-tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
Cumberleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
increase twofold
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
divisible by two
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/
an abrupt excited utterance
From this reading His exclamation attracted the attention of his companions.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew perfectly well.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His exclamation attracted the attention of his companions.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
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 He knew perfectly well.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He knew perfectly well.
periscopenounUS /ˈperəskoʊp/
an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
tipnounUS /tɪp/
the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading Even as they looked appeared the tip of the second periscope, followed almost immediately by the bows and conning-tower of the submarine.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
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 The sight of a slender pole inclined slightly from the perpendicular and throwing out a double feather of spray as it cleft the water told him that it was the periscope of a submarine.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He knew perfectly well.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading PRISONERS OF WAR "WHAT in the name of goodness is that?" exclaimed Captain Cumberleigh.
