used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
becalmedadjectiveUS /bɪˈkɑːmd/
rendered motionless for lack of wind
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
bulwarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
compellingadjectiveUS /kəmˈpelɪŋ/
driving or forcing
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
countenancesnounUS /ˈkaʊntənənsɪz/
plural of “countenance” — the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
Deason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
dissatisfactionnounUS /ˌdɪsætɪˈsfækʃən/
the feeling of being displeased and discontent
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
glass-likeadjective
resembling glass
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
groupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
gruffadjectiveUS /ɡrʌf/
brusque and surly and forbidding
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
ill-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
knotting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
letter-of-marque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
listlesslyadverbUS /ˈlɪstləsli/
in a listless manner
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
LiverpoolnounUS /ˈlɪvərpuːl/
a large city in northwestern England; its port is the country's major outlet for industrial exports
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
mendingnounUS /ˈmendɪŋ/
garments that must be repaired
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
occupationsnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃənz/
plural of “occupation” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
pacedverbUS /peɪst/
past form of “pace” — walk with slow or fast paces
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
try to get or reach
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
splicingnounUS /ˈsplaɪsɪŋ/
a junction where two things (as paper or film or magnetic tape) have been joined together
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
surlyadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrli/
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The officers listlessly paced the deck, or stood leaning over the bulwarks, casting their eyes round the horizon in the hopes of seeing signs of a coming breeze.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their countenances betrayed ill-humour and dissatisfaction; and if they spoke to each other, it was in gruff, surly tones.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The sun struck down with intense heat on the deck, compelling the crew to seek such shade as the bulwarks or sails afforded.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading The _Wolf_, a letter-of-marque of twenty guns, commanded by Captain Deason, sailing from Liverpool, lay becalmed on the glass-like surface of the Pacific.
yarnsnounUS /jɑːrnz/
plural of “yarn” — the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading Some were engaged in mending sails, twisting yarns, knotting, splicing, or in similar occupations; others sat in groups between the guns, talking together in low voices, or lay fast asleep out of sight in the shade.
