used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
Castle'snounUS /ˈkæsəlz/
possessive form of “castle” — a large and stately mansion
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
DippingverbUS /ˈdɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “dip” — immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
HARD-A-STARBOARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
cause to move by striking
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
OsbornenounUS /ˈɔːzbɔːrn/
English playwright (1929-1994)
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
periscopenounUS /ˈperəskoʊp/
an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
Portchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
projectilesnounUS /prəˈdʒektəlz/
plural of “projectile” — a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a targets but is not self-propelled
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
quick-firers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
ricochetted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
rollernounUS /ˈroʊlər/
a grounder that rolls along the infield
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
searchlightsnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪts/
plural of “searchlight” — a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
spar-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
required or under orders
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/
a reference point to shoot at
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
troughnounUS /trɔːf/
a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
U-Boatnoun
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
unmaskedverbUS /ənˈmæskt/
past form of “unmask” — reveal the true nature of
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Held Up by a U-Boat "HARD-A-STARBOARD!" roared Osborne.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Almost at the same time three of the _Portchester Castle's_ quick-firers united in a loud roar, their projectiles knocking up tall clouds of foam in the vicinity of the supposed periscope ere they ricochetted a mile or so away.
vividadjectiveUS /ˈvɪvəd/
evoking lifelike images within the mind
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dipping in the trough of an enormous roller the slight target was lost to sight.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading In the vivid glare of the now unmasked searchlights he had detected a short spar-like object projecting a couple of feet or more above the waves.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Whether hit by the shell the young lieutenant could not determine.
