used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
psychological suffering
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
moving swiftly
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
a long fixed look
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
immediately past
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
done under pressure
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He rushed to the rail, straining his gaze in the direction of the signal lights.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Certainly some vessel, distant but a few miles, was flying signal lights of distress.
WadeverbUS /weɪd/
walk (through relatively shallow water)
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I was sure we had not seen the last of that schooner.”
Wilbur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps the most startled member of the party was Wilbur Wade.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I knew it would come!” he cried, excitedly.
