used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
dearly loved
From this reading "There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
DIAMONDSnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
drumnounUS /drʌm/
a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
fishwifenoun
someone who sells fish
From this reading "There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
brought together in one place
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
headwaynounUS /ˈhedweɪ/
vertical space available to allow easy passage under something
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
horridadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrəd/
exceedingly bad
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
ten 10s
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
leered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
mouthsnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
in motion
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife.
of an obscure nature
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
sheavesnounUS /ʃiːvz/
plural of “sheaf” — a package of several things tied together for carrying or storing
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
SMUGGLEDadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌɡəld/
distributed or sold illicitly
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
squeakedverbUS /skwiːkt/
past form of “squeak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
steeringnounUS /ˈstɪrɪŋ/
the act of guiding or showing the way
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SMUGGLED DIAMONDS Slowly the mysterious schooner gathered headway.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
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 There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading Her sails creaked and groaned as the ropes slipped through the sheaves, and the chains squeaked around the drum of the steering wheel.
in or at the place that
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading There was no other craft within a mile of the vessel that was moving up the bay toward the more open water.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a rattle of blocks, hoarse cries from several sailors on deck, and then, down in the cabin, where the horrid old woman slipped the pieces of cloth from the mouths of Betty and Amy, had the two girls the strength to utter cries it is doubtful if they would have been heard a hundred feet away.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "There you are, my dear," leered the fishwife.
