used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
auxiliaryadjectiveUS /ɑːɡˈzɪljəri/
functioning in a supporting capacity
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "What can I do for you?
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
complexitynounUS /kəmˈpleksəti/
the quality of being intricate and compounded
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What can I do for you?
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
EVENTFULadjectiveUS /ɪˈventfəl/
full of events or incidents
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What can I do for you?
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What can I do for you?
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm the 'second.'"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
most important element
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
engage in
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
navaladjectiveUS /ˈneɪvəl/
connected with or belonging to or used in a navy
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
the local environment
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading I'm the 'second.'"
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What can I do for you?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
which person or people
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Then someone addressed him: "Fine engines, and as clean as waste will make them," remarked a little man, who was dressed in naval uniform.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hal turned round to find himself face to face with the second engineer.
showing curiosity
From this reading AN EVENTFUL VOYAGE Lost in bewilderment, Hal stared at the machinery, wondering at its size and complexity, and which were the main and which the auxiliary parts.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What can I do for you?
