used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/
feeling or showing anger
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
appearancesnounUS /əˈpɪrənsəz/
plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
by-play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
combatantsnounUS /kəmˈbætənts/
plural of “combatant” — someone who fights (or is fighting)
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
contestnounUS /ˈkɑːntest/
an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
in or to another place
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
enactingverbUS /eˈnæktɪŋ/
-ing form of “enact” — order by virtue of superior authority; decree
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
equalitynounUS /ɪˈkwɑːləti/
the quality of being the same in quantity or measure or value or status
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
farcenounUS /fɑːrs/
a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
fore-yard-arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
and nothing more
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
lathnounUS /læθ/
a narrow thin strip of wood used as backing for plaster or to make latticework
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
marinesnounUS /mərˈiːnz/
an amphibious division of the United States Navy
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
murmuringnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
NightingalenounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/
European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
many times at short intervals
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
partook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
possessors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
proprietynounUS /prəˈpraɪəti/
correct or appropriate behavior
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
being connected either logically or causally or by shared characteristics
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
RovernounUS /ˈroʊvər/
someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
sportsnounUS /spɔːrts/
plural of “sport” — an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
tenantsnounUS /ˈtenənts/
plural of “tenant” — someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
terminationnounUS /tərməˈneɪʃən/
a coming to an end of a contract period
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The contest between the possessors of the deck and those active tenants of the top, so often named, was far from having reached its termination.
tormentorsnounUS /ˈtɔːrmentərz/
plural of “tormentor” — someone who torments
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Come, and get thee a sword, though made of a lath: They have been up these two days.”
precisely as stated
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
VInounUS /vaɪ/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
wagedverbUS /weɪdʒd/
past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
waisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
well-knownadjectiveUS /ˈwelˈnoʊn/
widely or fully known
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading _King Henry VI._ While the little by-play that we have just related was enacting on the fore-yard-arm of the Rover scenes, that partook equally of the nature of tragedy and farce, were in the process of exhibition elsewhere.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Nightingale, however, was always ready to recall the combatants to their sense of propriety, with his well-known wind of the call, and his murmuring voice.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Blows had, in more than one instance, succeeded to angry words; and, as the former was a part of the sports in which the marines and waisters were on an equality with their more ingenious tormentors, the war was beginning to be waged with some appearances of a very doubtful success.
