used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
(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 A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
move towards
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
AprilnounUS /ˈeɪprəl/
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
bustlingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌsəlɪŋ/
full of energetic and noisy activity
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
without doubt or question
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
frail-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
gangwaynoun
a temporary passageway of planks (as over mud on a building site)
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
inertadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnɜːrt/
unable to move or resist motion
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
and nothing more
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/
an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
used to form the superlative
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
privilegenounUS /ˈprɪvlədʒ/
a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
transport commercially
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
not in physical motion
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
tenthnounUS /tenθ/
a tenth part; one part in ten equal parts
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Few passengers had yet arrived, for the time of sailing was still some hours away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
precisely as stated
From this reading One party of three, however, had just driven down to the very gangway, allowed by some special privilege a closer approach than most at this hour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading SALT WATER It was the tenth day of April.
at the time that
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
which person or people
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
but in spite of that
From this reading A great ship was making ready to sail; she lay like some inert monster at her pier, while all about her, within and without, was apparent commotion yet really ordered haste, the customary scene of bustling activity.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading The reason was apparent when the party alighted, for one of its number was clearly an invalid, a frail-looking man with curly gray hair, who leaned upon the arm of a much younger man with a keen, distinguished face.
