used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
boatswainnounUS /ˈboʊtsweɪn/
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
caboosenounUS /kəˈbuːs/
the area for food preparation on a ship
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
without stop or interruption
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
dartingverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
descendverbUS /dɪˈsend/
move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
embraceverbUS /emˈbreɪs/
include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
at any time
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
frayverbUS /freɪ/
wear away by rubbing
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
galleynounUS /ˈɡæli/
a large medieval vessel with a single deck propelled by sails and oars with guns at stern and prow; a complement of 1,000 men; used mainly in the Mediterranean for war and trading
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
half-door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
leenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
niggers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
outwardsadverbUS /ˈaʊtwərdz/
toward the outside
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
pommelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
poop-ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
uttered with a trill
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
scrambledadjectiveUS /ˈskræmbəld/
thrown together in a disorderly fashion
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
scuppersnounUS /ˈskʌpərz/
plural of “scupper” — drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
transport commercially
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
term of address for a man
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
not in physical motion
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
swishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
They've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
in the direction of
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
unmindfuladjective
not mindful or attentive
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
washverbUS /wɑːʃ/
clean with some chemical process
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They've been at it in the caboose ever since we began to wash down decks."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
at the time that
From this reading But, before he could descend two steps, the half-door of the galley burst open outwards with a crash, when two dark figures, locked in a tight embrace and pommelling one another with immense fury, came rolling out upon the deck.
in or at the place that
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They then scrambled and tumbled into the lee scuppers, where they continued to struggle still, unmindful of the foot deep or more of water, into which they were suddenly plunged, that was swishing to and fro with the motion of the ship.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Then it's high time to stop them," cried the captain darting towards the poop-ladder with the intention of ending the fray, whatever it was.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, sir," said the boatswain, "the two niggers.
