used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading The darkness added to the sense of imminent danger.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
chug-chugging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
damagedadjectiveUS /ˈdæmədʒd/
harmed or injured or spoiled
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The darkness added to the sense of imminent danger.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The darkness added to the sense of imminent danger.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
detectverbUS /dɪˈtekt/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
only a very short time before
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
to a considerable degree
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
imminentadjectiveUS /ˈɪmənənt/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading The darkness added to the sense of imminent danger.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
the act of departing
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
set afire or burning
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
listingnounUS /ˈlɪstɪŋ/
a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
engage in
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
obstructedadjectiveUS /əbˈstrʌktɪd/
shut off to passage or view or hindered from action
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
pumpsnounUS /pʌmps/
plural of “pump” — a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
RadionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
reassuringadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/
restoring confidence and relieving anxiety
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The darkness added to the sense of imminent danger.
have in common
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
SNATCHEDverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
strungadjectiveUS /strʌŋ/
that is on a string
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
in or at that place or location
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By the time the boys reached the deck after leaving the engine room the electric lights were out, and although a few lanterns had been hastily lighted and strung about here and there, their beams were obstructed by the heavy fog and hardly did more than make the darkness visible.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They knew that the vessel was badly damaged, and with almost every minute that passed they could detect that it was listing more heavily to port.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They could hear the monotonous chug-chugging of the pumps as they worked desperately, and the sound was not reassuring.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading SNATCHED FROM THE SEA It would be foolish to think that the Radio Boys did not share in the general alarm.
