used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
(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 By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
commenceverbUS /kəˈmens/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
cradlenounUS /ˈkreɪdəl/
a baby bed with sides and rockers
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
without deviation
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
an old word for “before”
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
every person
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
frayverbUS /freɪ/
wear away by rubbing
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
hawsers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
absolutely essential
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
polesnounUS /poʊlz/
plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
a strong line
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
sallied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
slackadjectiveUS /slæk/
not tense or taut
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
slipwaynoun
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
up to a particular time
From this reading Nothing more could be done till the rising of the tide.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A FALSE AND A REAL ALARM Before daybreak everyone was up and eager for the fray, and directly breakfast was over they sallied down to the shore.
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 It was still pitch dark, but the time of dead low water made it absolutely necessary that operations should commence ere the sun rose.
windlassnounUS /ˈwɪndləs/
lifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds
From this reading The cradle, its ends marked by long poles to indicate its position at high water, was already run out so far as the lines of the slipway extended, a rope being fastened to it from the windlass ashore.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading By the light of several lanterns the slack of the hawsers was taken in and the two canoes pinned down so far as the united efforts of all hands would permit.
