used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
anew
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
CANNIBALnounUS /ˈkænəbəl/
a person who eats human flesh
From this reading IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
clothing in general
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
derelictadjectiveUS /ˈderəlɪkt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
apart from; not including
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
fierce-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
not in action or at work
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.
islandersnounUS /ˈaɪləndərz/
plural of “islander” — an inhabitant of an island
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading IN CANNIBAL ISLANDS.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
occurring by chance
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
mappedverbUS /mæpt/
inflected form of “map” — make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
by chance
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
programmenounUS /ˈproʊɡræm/
an announcement of the events that will occur as part of a theatrical or sporting event
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
ResoluteadjectiveUS /ˈrezəluːt/
firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nothing could be more to their taste than the programme mapped out by their chief, and to be carried out on the following day.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
at the time that
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading It was perhaps a lucky day for the natives when their boats drew up upon the beach with the sailors, more dead than alive, without arms or clothes, except what they wore, completely at the mercy of the naked and fierce-looking savages that crowded round them.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The crew of the derelict brig _Resolute_ had certainly not been idle during the year and a half and over they had been prisoners on the cannibal islands.
a late time of life
From this reading Here was a chance for these islanders, such as might not occur again in a score of years.
