used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
(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 All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
in addition
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
azurenounUS /ˈæʒər/
a light shade of blue
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
brilliantlyadverbUS /ˈbrɪljəntli/
with brightness
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
carpenternounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntər/
a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
carpenter'snounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntərz/
possessive form of “carpenter” — a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
an occurrence of something
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
rid of obstructions
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
being one more than seven
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
set up or found
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
the act of departing
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
the force of workers available
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
and nothing more
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
on one occasion
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
in the near future
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
established beyond doubt
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
repairedverbUS /rɪˈperd/
past form of “repair” — restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
transport commercially
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
signal-flag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
skylightsnounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪts/
plural of “skylight” — a window in a roof to admit daylight
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
StevensnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
United States psychologist and psychophysicist who proposed Stevens' power law to replace Fechner's law (1906-1973)
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
express in words
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I instantly opened the cabin door to tell the man to go at once, as I believed that Stevens merely called to give him orders about the men's breakfast.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading At seven bells, that is, half an hour before eight, I heard the carpenter's voice shouting down the companion for the steward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
look attentively
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
west-south-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All plain sail had been made, as I had directed, and the ship heading west-south-west under a glorious sky, and all around a brilliantly clear horizon and an azure sea.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading This proved to be the case, as I presently learnt on going on deck, whither I repaired (although it was my watch below) in order to see what the carpenter was about.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I found him lying upon one of the skylights, with a signal-flag under his head, smoking a pipe, whilst three or four of the men sat round him smoking also.
