Chapter XIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

(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 THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading “That’s better,” said one.

plural of “buoy” — bright-colored; a float attached by rope to the seabed to mark channels in a harbor or underwater hazards

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading One by one the cables tautened and the line straightened.

plural of “cable” — a telegram sent abroad

From this reading One by one the cables tautened and the line straightened.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading “Now we can talk comfortably.”

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

in mental comfort; without stress

From this reading “Now we can talk comfortably.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

plural of “donkey” — the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

flow back or recede

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

a United States Navy fleet consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

immediately past

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading One by one the cables tautened and the line straightened.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

plural of “mooring” — a place where a craft can be made fast

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading “Now we can talk comfortably.”

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One by one the cables tautened and the line straightened.

a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

any object that is left unused or still extant

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

tear or be torn violently

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading “That’s better,” said one.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight

From this reading One by one the cables tautened and the line straightened.

given added strength or support

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

possessing sweep

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading “Now we can talk comfortably.”

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One by one the cables tautened and the line straightened.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “That’s better,” said one.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading The ebb tide strengthened and they swung to their moorings in an invisible “rip” that swept round a curve of the adjoining island.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

not made or become different

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

a period of sleeplessness

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading “Now we can talk comfortably.”

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

during the time that

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading THE SPIRIT OF THE FLEET “Through all the monotony of its unending vigil, the Spirit of the Fleet remains unchanged.”--_Daily Paper._ A flotilla of mine-sweeping sloops entered harbour with the last of the light and secured to their buoys; they were weary sea-battered little ships, and for a while they remained as silent as a stable-full of costermongers’ donkeys at the close of a hard day’s work.