used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
accuseverbUS /əˈkjuːz/
bring an accusation against; level a charge against
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
accusednounUS /əˈkjuːzd/
a defendant in a criminal proceeding
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
any thing at all
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
averseadjectiveUS /əˈvɜːrs/
(usually followed by “to”) strongly opposed
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
boatswainnounUS /ˈboʊtsweɪn/
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
clapverbUS /klæp/
put quickly or forcibly
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
Desmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I would risk that," said Desmond.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I would risk that," said Desmond.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
ironsnounUS /ˈaɪərnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
man-of-warnoun
a warship intended for combat
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
the force of workers available
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
kill intentionally and with premeditation
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
mutinynounUS /ˈmjuːtəni/
open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
on one occasion
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading "I would risk that," said Desmond.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I would risk that," said Desmond.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
seizeverbUS /siːz/
take hold of; grab
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
transport commercially
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
express a supposition
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
male cat
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Suppose we were to fail in our attempt to seize the boatswain, he would murder us all, or at all events clap us in irons, and accuse us of mutiny and an attempt to seize the ship."
precisely as stated
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
which person or people
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Tom, who was averse to this proceeding, replied, "It might turn out very well if we were first to fall in with a British man-of-war; but suppose we met an American, we might be accused of running away with the ship.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "The doctor's word would be taken before that of the boatswain, and any American officer would at once see that our statement was the true one."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Rest assured that the boatswain and some of the men would be ready to swear to anything which would suit their own purposes."
