used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
Adair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
(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 Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
CommandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
approval
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
an opposing military force
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
exposeverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊz/
expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
lipnounUS /lɪp/
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
Majesty'snounUS /ˈmædʒəstiz/
possessive form of “majesty” — impressiveness in scale or proportion
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
navigatorsnounUS /ˈnævəɡeɪtərz/
plural of “navigator” — the ship's officer in charge of navigation
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
and nothing more
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
pluggedadjectiveUS /plʌɡd/
(of a coin) altered by the insertion of a plug of base metal
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
restrainedadjectiveUS /riˈstreɪnd/
cool and formal in manner
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
retortnounUS /ˈriːtɔːrt/
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
shot-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
signifyverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪ/
denote or connote
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
in the near future
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
be standing; be upright
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
TerencenounUS /ˈterəns/
dramatist of ancient Rome (born in Greece) whose comedies were based on works by Menander (190?-159 BC)
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
a special situation
From this reading "Impossible, Commander Adair," answered his superior officer; "the only thing we can do is to prevent the _Flash_ from falling into the enemy's hands.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
townounUS /toʊ/
the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
uselesslyadverb
in a useless manner
From this reading I cannot uselessly expose the lives of my crew in so hopeless an undertaking.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
(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 "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
wiselyadverbUS /ˈwaɪzli/
in a wise manner
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It won't bring much credit on those concerned."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "Well, Commander Adair," he observed, as Terence stepped on deck, "you have made a pretty business of this somehow or other; young officers are, however, not always the best navigators, and the _Flash_ has been lost to Her Majesty's Service.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Adair bit his lip, but, though ready enough to retort, he wisely restrained his temper, and answered, "If you will let me have your boats, or will stand in and give us a tow while we keep the enemy at bay, we may get the _Flash_ off before many hours are over; she has not a shot-hole in her to signify, as we plugged them all as soon as they were received."
