used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
react verbally
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
civilitynounUS /səˈvɪləti/
formal or perfunctory politeness
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
commentsnounUS /ˈkɑːments/
plural of “comment” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
daisnounUS /deɪz/
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
garrulousadjectiveUS /ˈɡerələs/
full of trivial conversation
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
gun-rack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
impudencenoun
an impudent statement
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
insolencenounUS /ˈɪnsələns/
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
the force of workers available
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
not any; not one
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
plantsnounUS /plænts/
plural of “plant” — buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
precisely, exactly
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
cut with a saw
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
a student who fails to attend classes
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
sundryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌndri/
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
a source of difficulty
From this reading But Webster was garrulous and took the trouble to answer no questions.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
WebsternounUS /ˈwebstər/
English playwright (1580-1625)
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were ushered below and not allowed to remain upon the deck in the hot sun.
in or at the place that
From this reading He showed Miss Waters over the cabin, taking her through the forward room, where he had quite a lot of ferns and plants ranged in pots upon a sort of dais.
which person or people
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a strange little skipper, Captain Webster, and he asked us aft with some civility, making sundry comments at the insolence of our master, who had the impudence to question his right upon the high seas.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading I saw several men who wore arms, and noticed a gun-rack at the foot of the stairway.
