used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
barrelsnounUS /ˈbærəlz/
the amount that many barrels might hold
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
cause to be bored
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
boringadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
contributedverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/
past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
recognizable; marked
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
being one more than seventeen
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
MONSOONSnounUS /mɑːnˈsuːnz/
plural of “monsoon” — a seasonal wind in southern Asia; blows from the southwest (bringing rain) in summer and from the northeast in winter
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
used to form the superlative
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
muzzle-loaders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
not divisible by two
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
with speed
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
reloadedverbUS /ˌriːˈloʊdɪd/
past form of “reload” — load anew
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
stocksnounUS /stɑːks/
a frame that supports a boat while it is under construction
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They would then have a battery of ten guns, and the necessity of having a number arose from the fact that they were muzzle-loaders, and could not be reloaded rapidly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
three-eighths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
ultimatelyadverbUS /ˈʌltəmətli/
as the end result of a succession or process
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading THE TERRIBLE MONSOONS Of the two most urgent articles, namely, weapons or the boat, it was decided that the guns should be completed first.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As Harry had sufficient steel left for four barrels more, two days were devoted to boring them out, in the hope that they would ultimately be able to finish them up.
at the time that
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Six barrels, each eighteen inches long, and with a bore three-eighths of an inch in diameter, had been turned out, and several of the stocks had been made at odd times during the evenings.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The feeling that the time would come when a visit from the savages might be expected at their home, contributed to this decision.
