used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
biographernounUS /baɪˈɑːɡrəfər/
someone who writes an account of a person's life
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
blunderingverbUS /ˈblʌndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “blunder” — commit a faux pas or a fault or make a serious mistake
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
brilliancynoun
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
comparativeadjectiveUS /kəmˈperətɪv/
relating to or based on or involving comparison
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
half-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading IN THE HOSPITAL.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE HOSPITAL.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
be obliged to pay or repay
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
palpableadjectiveUS /ˈpælpəbəl/
capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
plausibleadjectiveUS /ˈplɔːzəbəl/
apparently reasonable and credible, and therefore convincing
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
rebelsnounUS /ˈrebəlz/
plural of “rebel” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
RidgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
Shenandoah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
Somers's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
strategicadjectiveUS /strəˈtiːdʒɪk/
relating to or concerned with strategy
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
strategynounUS /ˈstrætədʒi/
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
stupiditynounUS /stuːˈpɪdɪtiː/
a poor ability to understand or to profit from experience
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE HOSPITAL.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
male cat
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
precisely as stated
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
which person or people
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
