used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
highly skilled
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
(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 All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
bargainingnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡɪnɪŋ/
the negotiation of the terms of a transaction or agreement
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
BentonnounUS /ˈbentən/
United States artist whose paintings portrayed life in the Midwest and South (1889-1975)
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
divernounUS /ˈdaɪvər/
someone who works underwater
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
diver'snounUS /ˈdaɪvərz/
possessive form of “diver” — someone who works underwater
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
harborverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
interviewingverbUS /ˈɪntərvjuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “interview” — conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
immediately past
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
LURKINGverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
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 All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
masteringnounUS /ˈmæstərɪŋ/
becoming proficient in the use of something; having mastery of
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
mastersnounUS /ˈmæstərz/
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
not any; not one
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
the body of people in a learned occupation
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
proficientadjectiveUS /prɑːˈfɪʃənt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
reasonablyadverbUS /ˈriːzənəbli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
transport commercially
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
sloopnounUS /sluːp/
a sailing vessel with a single mast set about one third of the boat's length aft of the bow
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
required or under orders
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
tapenounUS /teɪp/
a long thin piece of cloth or paper as used for binding or fastening
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading LURKING IN THE SHADOWS Early the next day they set out in search of a suitable craft for their expedition.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
trignounUS /trɪɡ/
the mathematics of triangles and trigonometric functions
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Benton had looked up the old diver that he had previously spoken about to the boys, and had little difficulty in getting him to agree to give the boys practical lessons in his profession.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
(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 So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was no easy task to find what they wanted, but at last they chanced on a trig little sloop, of which after considerable bargaining and red tape they became the proud owners.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading All this was not accomplished without the passage of many days, and while Benton was interviewing ship owners and harbor masters, the boys employed the time in mastering the mysteries of the diver’s art.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading So thoroughly did he do his part that in a little while the boys became proficient enough to feel that they could get along reasonably well in the shallow waters in which they supposed the wreck to be lying.
