used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
ADRIFTadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
(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 The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading Her masts were stepped at a rakish angle.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading She was considerably larger than the _Bertha B_.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was considerably larger than the _Bertha B_.
captain'snounUS /ˈkæptənz/
possessive form of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading She was considerably larger than the _Bertha B_.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
displayingverbUS /dɪˈspleɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
yet to be or coming
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading She was considerably larger than the _Bertha B_.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading Her masts were stepped at a rakish angle.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Her rigging was neat.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
proudlyadverbUS /ˈpraʊdli/
with pride; in a proud manner
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
rakishadjectiveUS /ˈreɪkɪʃ/
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
From this reading Her masts were stepped at a rakish angle.
RebeccanounUS /rəˈbekə/
(Old Testament) wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
riggingnounUS /ˈrɪɡɪŋ/
gear consisting of ropes etc. supporting a ship's masts and sails
From this reading Her rigging was neat.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
transport commercially
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
spannounUS /spæn/
the complete duration of something
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
spicknoun
(ethnic slur) offensive term for persons of Latin American descent
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Her masts were stepped at a rakish angle.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She was considerably larger than the _Bertha B_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
precisely as stated
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was considerably larger than the _Bertha B_.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her masts were stepped at a rakish angle.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading The ship looked very fine, indeed, as she lay at the captain's wharf, all spick and span, and proudly displaying her new coat of paint.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading ADRIFT IN THE STORM Alec could not see into the future, this time at least, and he went about the work of preparing the _Rebecca_ with a merry heart.
