used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading "It is a bit of a stinger.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
Cumberleigh's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
eelnounUS /iːl/
the fatty flesh of eel; an elongate fish found in fresh water in Europe and America; large eels are usually smoked or pickled
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
flappingnounUS /ˈflæpɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
gosh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "By gosh!" he muttered.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "By gosh!" he muttered.
not accessible to view
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
icy-cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is a bit of a stinger.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is a bit of a stinger.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
lootnounUS /luːt/
goods or money obtained illegally
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "By gosh!" he muttered.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
Pipsqueak's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
Pyecroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
without speaking
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
stingernounUS /ˈstɪŋər/
a cocktail made of made of creme de menthe and brandy
From this reading "It is a bit of a stinger.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
valedictoryadjectiveUS /ˌvæləˈdɪktəri/
of or relating to an occasion or expression of farewell
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
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 shock of the icy-cold water almost took his breath away.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While his comrades were hurriedly lowering the _Pipsqueak's_ sail, the "second loot," hidden from the pirate craft by the flapping canvas, slipped over the side as noiselessly and silently as an eel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
the words that are spoken
From this reading A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE WITH Captain Cumberleigh's valedictory words ringing in his ears, Pyecroft began his preparations to avoid capture.
