used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
bos'nnoun
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
CHECKMATEnounUS /ˈtʃekmeɪt/
complete victory
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
depressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈprest/
lower than previously
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
Dirham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
disturbancenounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbəns/
activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
ditty-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
FortunanounUS /fɔːrˈtuːnə/
(Roman mythology) the goddess of fortune and good luck; counterpart of Greek Tyche
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
the act of retaining something
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, what is it, Mr. Wilkins?"
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, what is it, Mr. Wilkins?"
and nothing more
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
the literary culture
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
engage in
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
a form of address for a man
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
overhaulingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhaul” — travel past
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
Identical; not different.
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
seismicadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪzmɪk/
subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
shoalsnounUS /ʃoʊlz/
plural of “shoal” — a sandbank in a stretch of water that is visible at low tide
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
term of address for a man
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
not in physical motion
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
confined on all sides
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "I've just been overhauling poor Dirham's ditty-box, sir, and there's something queer about these letters.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
unwillingadjectiveUS /ənˈwɪlɪŋ/
not disposed or inclined toward
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
(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 My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The "Fortuna" still remained at anchor, for we were unwilling, owing to the changes caused by the seismic disturbance, to make a passage in the darkness through the shoals that surrounded the island.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Well, what is it, Mr. Wilkins?"
at the time that
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
WilkinsnounUS /ˈwɪlkɪnz/
United States civil rights leader (1901-1981)
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My uncle and I were seated in deck chairs enjoying the cool of the evening as well as our depressed spirits would allow, when Mr. Wilkins approached, holding a bundle of papers in his hand.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading CHECKMATE "I WANT to ask your advice upon a certain matter, Mr. Herbert," said the bos'n to my uncle that same evening.
