used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
(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 At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
ArrownounUS /ˈæroʊ/
a mark to indicate a direction or relation
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
Benson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
rid of obstructions
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
clippernounUS /ˈklɪpər/
(electronics) a nonlinear electronic circuit whose output is limited in amplitude; used to limit the instantaneous amplitude of a waveform (to clip off the peaks of a waveform)
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
convictsnounUS /ˈkɑːnvɪkts/
plural of “convict” — a person serving a sentence in a jail or prison
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
deceivedverbUS /dɪˈsiːvd/
past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
give a description of
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
divisible by two
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
identitynounUS /aɪˈdentɪtiː/
the distinct personality of an individual regarded as a persisting entity
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
have in mind as a purpose
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
madmannounUS /ˈmædmæn/
an insane person
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
the force of workers available
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
a particular point in time
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
not any; not one
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
ravedverbUS /reɪvd/
past form of “rave” — participate in an all-night techno dance party
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
sailor-man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
cut with a saw
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
spars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
ventnounUS /vent/
a hole for the escape of gas or air
From this reading Benson roared and raved like a madman, and I expected him to vent his anger upon Brown and myself at any moment for having deceived him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But he evidently believed that I was as much astonished as himself at the identity of the stranger.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not being a sailor-man, he did not understand the language of spars and canvas, and had no reason to think that my eyes were any better than his own.
at the time that
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At all events, even if he did intend to settle with me afterward, he now saw that his own life and the lives of his men depended on my being able to run the clipper clear of the English guns.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be hard to describe the disorder and terror aboard the _Arrow_ when the convicts realized their mistake.
