used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading His rough guess proved to be remarkably accurate.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
Anstey's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Anstey's next step was to inform the Captain.
approximateverbUS /əˈprɑːksəmət/
be close or similar
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
backbonenounUS /ˈbækboʊn/
a central cohesive source of support and stability
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
Barbicannoun
a tower that is part of a defensive structure (such as a castle)
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His rough guess proved to be remarkably accurate.
of short duration or distance
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
Brocklington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Anstey's next step was to inform the Captain.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
chart-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
chartroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
chartsnounUS /tʃɑːrts/
plural of “chart” — a visual display of information
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
current-drift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
DowsingnounUS /ˈdaʊsɪŋ/
searching for underground water or minerals by using a dowsing rod
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading His rough guess proved to be remarkably accurate.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
of the present time and place
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading Anstey's next step was to inform the Captain.
set down according to a plan
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
light-vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
LightshipnounUS /ˈlaɪtʃɪp/
a ship equipped like a lighthouse and anchored where a permanent lighthouse would be impracticable
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
minesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Anstey's next step was to inform the Captain.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
and nothing more
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
OuteradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
go across or through
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
PerilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
established beyond doubt
From this reading His rough guess proved to be remarkably accurate.
remarkablyadverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading His rough guess proved to be remarkably accurate.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading His rough guess proved to be remarkably accurate.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
transport commercially
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Anstey's next step was to inform the Captain.
surveynounUS /sərˈveɪ/
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
tide-tables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
triceverbUS /traɪs/
raise with a line
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A Night of Peril Making his way to the chartroom the Third Officer "laid off" the position of the mines.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading According to the position given, the source of danger was only a few miles from the Outer Dowsing Lightship, and the _West Barbican_ had to pass close to the Outer Dowsing on her course to Brocklington.
at the time that
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
in or at the place that
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Old Man, a sailor to the backbone, was in the chart-house in a trice, where, after a brief but careful survey of tide-tables and current-drift charts, he was able to determine the approximate position of the floating mines when the ship would be in the immediate vicinity of the light-vessel.
