used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT OF ALARMS.
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
ALARMSnounUS /əˈlɑːrmz/
plural of “alarm” — fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading A NIGHT OF ALARMS.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
appallingnounUS /əˈpɔːlɪŋ/
an experience that appalls
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
bravestadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪvəst/
superlative of “brave” — possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading It was a situation to frighten the bravest.
CastawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
desultoryadjectiveUS /ˈdesəltɔːri/
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
detonateverbUS /ˈdetəneɪt/
cause to burst with a violent release of energy
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
divisible by two
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
frightenverbUS /ˈfraɪtən/
cause fear in
From this reading It was a situation to frighten the bravest.
gloomilyadverbUS /ˈɡluːməli/
with gloom
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
impactnounUS /ˌɪmˈpækt/
the striking of one body against another
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a situation to frighten the bravest.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
minesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A NIGHT OF ALARMS.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
oarsnounUS /ɔːrz/
plural of “oar” — an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A NIGHT OF ALARMS.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
predicamentnounUS /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading It was a situation to frighten the bravest.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
strewnverbUS /struːn/
inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
surveyingnounUS /sərˈveɪɪŋ/
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a situation to frighten the bravest.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a situation to frighten the bravest.
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 Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
plural of “wind” — air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Castaways on the open sea in a boat without water, food or oars!
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Small wonder, then, that after a while conversation grew more and more desultory until at length they each sat silent, gloomily surveying their predicament.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To add to the peril of the boys' position, they had too appalling evidence of the fact that the North Sea was strewn with floating mines which, even the impact of a small craft, like the one in which they were drifting at the mercy of the winds and waves, would serve to detonate.
