used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a race with time now—for both of them.
on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
(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 But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
the two together, not just one
From this reading It was a race with time now—for both of them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a race with time now—for both of them.
set up or found
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/
prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
leaknounUS /liːk/
an accidental hole that allows something (fluid or light etc.) to enter or escape
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
mannedadjectiveUS /mænd/
having a crew
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
mutteringnounUS /ˈmʌtərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
on one occasion
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
pumpsnounUS /pʌmps/
plural of “pump” — a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
any competition
From this reading It was a race with time now—for both of them.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
tackverbUS /tæk/
fasten with tacks
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That’s it!—the change of tack" Now that he had found an explanation, he could face the issue.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the leak gained steadily on them, in spite of all they could do.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was a race with time now—for both of them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They manned the pumps at once—this was before the day of steam pumps aboard coal barges.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What can have happened, what can have happened?" he kept muttering "The change of tack must have done it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a race with time now—for both of them.
