used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
adventurousadjectiveUS /ædˈventʃərəs/
willing to undertake or seeking out new and daring enterprises
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
anew
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
how long something has existed
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
BaltimorenounUS /ˈbɔːltəmɔːr/
the largest city in Maryland; a major seaport and industrial center
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
a youthful male person
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
coastersnounUS /ˈkoʊstərz/
plural of “coaster” — a resident of a coastal area
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
complaintnounUS /kəmˈpleɪnt/
an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
diggingsnoun
an excavation for ore or precious stones or for archaeology
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
DOUBLOONnoun
a former Spanish gold coin
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
being one more than seventeen
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
enduredverbUS /enˈdjʊrd/
past form of “endure” — put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
forty-niners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
fourteenthadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːnθ/
coming next after the thirteenth in position
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
coins made of gold
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
IsthmusnounUS /ˈɪsməs/
a relatively narrow strip of land (with water on both sides) connecting two larger land areas
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
pliedverbUS /plaɪd/
inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
privationsnounUS /praɪˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “privation” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
Quinn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
have in common
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
south-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
SPITverbUS /spɪt/
expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
stowawaynounUS /ˈstoʊəweɪ/
a person who hides aboard a ship or plane in the hope of getting free passage
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
precisely as stated
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Always of an adventurous turn, it was on his fourteenth birthday that he ran away from his home in Baltimore to become a stowaway on board a south-bound vessel.
WallacenounUS /ˈwɔːləs/
Scottish insurgent who led the resistance to Edward I; in 1297 he gained control of Scotland briefly until Edward invaded Scotland again and defeated Wallace and subsequently executed him (1270-1305)
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
wharfsnounUS /wɔːrfs/
plural of “wharf” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Somehow he got along, knocking about from one point to another, now at the gold diggings, now on the San Francisco wharfs, and again as a deck hand on the coasters that plied from port to port.
at the time that
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he was eighteen, but well grown for his age, he fell in with an old salt named Nat Quinn.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was a day of privations, and the boy endured more than his share of them without complaint.
a late time of life
From this reading CONCERNING DOUBLOON SPIT Robert Wallace, the father of Evelyn, was not one of the forty-niners, but he had come to California by way of the Isthmus not very many years later.
