used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
aidingverbUS /ˈeɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “aid” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
a youthful male person
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
BrestnounUS /brest/
a port city in northwestern France (in Brittany); the chief naval station of France
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
a young person of either sex
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
consequencesnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/
plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
countrymennounUS /ˈkʌntrimɪn/
plural of “countryman” — a man from your own country
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
characterized by great determination
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
doted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
the act of departing
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
a particular point in time
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
used to form the superlative
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
onboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
and nothing more
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
show unwillingness towards
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
Renaudin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
sanguineadjectiveUS /ˈsæŋɡwɪn/
confidently optimistic and cheerful
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
except for; apart from
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
seaman'snounUS /ˈsiːmənz/
possessive form of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
transport commercially
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
a male human offspring
From this reading Some days after leaving Brest, it was my extreme good fortune to save the life of Captain Renaudin’s son.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
carry out
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times I felt sanguine of being able to escape onboard an English ship.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
at the time that
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
which person or people
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
widowernounUS /ˈwɪdoʊər/
a man whose wife is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
willinglyadverbUS /ˈwɪlɪŋli/
in a willing manner
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading As long as my duty consisted in aiding to work the ship, or any seaman’s duty, I would do it willingly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “At this time the French fleet was ready for sea, and I experienced the most painful thoughts; here I was, an Englishman by birth and feelings, about to be forced to fight against my countrymen, though determined in my own mind when the moment arrived I would refuse to do so, and take the consequences.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading This fine young boy was full of life and spirit; his father was a widower, who doted on him; and Alfred was his only child.
