used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
Ariadne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
a youthful male person
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
brass-rimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
challengesnounUS /ˈtʃæləndʒɪz/
plural of “challenge” — a demanding or stimulating situation
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
devoidadjectiveUS /dɪˈvɔɪd/
completely wanting or lacking
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
episodesnounUS /ˈepəsoʊdz/
plural of “episode” — a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
a social unit living together
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
Fane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
influencedverbUS /ˈɪnfluːənst/
past form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
Nelly's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
passiveadjectiveUS /ˈpæsɪv/
lacking in energy or will
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
by chance
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
port-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
positivelyadverbUS /ˈpɑːzətɪvli/
extremely
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
proportionsnounUS /prəˈpɔːrʃənz/
plural of “proportion” — the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
From this reading It had two circular port-holes, brass-rimmed, of fairly generous proportions.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
unusual or striking
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
roomynounUS /ˈruːmi/
an associate who shares a room with you
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
shrewdlyadverbUS /ˈʃruːdli/
in a shrewd manner
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
spurnounUS /spɜːr/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
starboardnounUS /ˈstɑːrbərd/
the right side of a ship or aircraft to someone who is aboard and facing the bow or nose
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
tauntsnounUS /tɔːnts/
plural of “taunt” — aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
arousing affect
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
typicaladjectiveUS /ˈtɪpəkəl/
exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category
From this reading For example, I recall two typical episodes.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
verbaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrbəl/
communicated in the form of words
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Neither had been remarkable, perhaps, for a boy devoid of fear or imagination; but I was one shrewdly influenced by both qualities.
water-line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a roomy cabin under the _Ariadne's_ starboard counter, which served the Fane family as a sort of sitting-room or day nursery.
wrigglingadjective
moving in a twisting or snake-like or wormlike fashion
From this reading Under the spur of verbal taunts from Fred, and passive challenges from Nelly's dark eyes, I positively succeeded in wriggling my entire body out through one of those port-holes, feet first, until I hung by my hands outside, my feet almost touching the water-line.
