used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
AntwerpnounUS /ˈæntwərp/
a busy port and financial center in northern Belgium on the Scheldt river; it has long been a center for the diamond industry and the first stock exchange was opened there in 1460
From this reading These were used in discharging the cargo at Antwerp.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading These were used in discharging the cargo at Antwerp.
being joined in close association
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
dark-coloredadjective
having a dark color
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
dischargingverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “discharge” — complete or carry out
From this reading These were used in discharging the cargo at Antwerp.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
engine-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
filmyadjective
so thin as to transmit light
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
jetsnounUS /dʒets/
plural of “jet” — an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
pumpsnounUS /pʌmps/
plural of “pump” — a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
smoothnessnounUS /ˈsmuːðnəs/
a texture without roughness; smooth to the touch
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
spoutedverbUS /ˈspaʊtɪd/
past form of “spout” — gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
standpipes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
superstructuresnounUS /ˈsuːpərstrʌktʃərz/
plural of “superstructure” — structure consisting of the part of a ship above the main deck
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These were used in discharging the cargo at Antwerp.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading These were used in discharging the cargo at Antwerp.
valvesnounUS /vælvz/
plural of “valve” — a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading OIL ON TROUBLED WATERS.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading The valves of these pipes had been opened while the boys were in the wireless room, and now, as the pumps were started, jets of thick, dark-colored oil spouted from them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At intervals along the bridge we have mentioned as running between bow and stern superstructures, were tall standpipes connected with pumps in the engine-room.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading As the oil spread on the sea, the wind drove it down in a great band of filmy smoothness toward the tossing wreck.
