used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
(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 Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
brigantinenounUS /ˌbrɪɡənˈtiːn/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigged on the mainmast
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
the act of departing
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Look here, Major," he said.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Look here, Major," he said.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
Lechmere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Look here, Major," he said.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading "Look here, Major," he said.
mastheadnounUS /ˈmæsthed/
a listing printed in all issues of a newspaper or magazine (usually on the editorial page) that gives the name of the publication and the names of the editorial staff, etc.
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
one-sidedadjectiveUS /ˌwʌnˈsaɪdəd/
not reversible or capable of having either side out
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
poundersnounUS /ˈpaʊndərz/
plural of “pounder” — (used only in combination) something weighing a given number of pounds
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
relievingverbUS /rɪˈliːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “relieve” — provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Look here, Major," he said.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
tomorrownounUS /təˈmɑːroʊ/
the day after today
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Now we know that those fellows have guns, though they may be but two or three pounders, and it is clear that it is not going to be altogether such a one-sided job as we looked for.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "It is like enough that we may have a stiff bit of fighting tomorrow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The stars were bright, and with the aid of a night glass the brigantine was kept in sight; the sailors relieving each other at the masthead every half hour.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Frank would have stayed on deck all night, had not George Lechmere persuaded him to go below.
