adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
ableradjectiveUS /ˈeɪbələr/
comparative of “able” — (usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
ashoreadverbUS /əˈʃɔːr/
towards the shore from the water
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
centnounUS /sent/
a fractional monetary unit of several countries
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
chapsnounUS /tʃæps/
plural of “chap” — a boy or man
From this reading They were grizzled, wizened old chaps.
chronicledverbUS /ˈkrɑːnɪkəld/
past form of “chronicle” — record in chronological order; make a historical record
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
cricknounUS /krɪk/
a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
desertedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
Doraine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
forty-sixadjective
being six more than forty
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
grizzledadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪzəld/
having dark hairs mixed with grey or white
From this reading They were grizzled, wizened old chaps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
half-dozenadjectiveUS /ˈhæfdʌzən/
denoting a quantity consisting of six items or units
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
InsideadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
insistedverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstəd/
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
ninety-fiveadjective
being five more than ninety
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading They were grizzled, wizened old chaps.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
perprepositionUS /pɜːr/
for each
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
remainedverbUS /rɪˈmeɪnd/
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
SandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
seamannounUS /ˈsiːmən/
a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
spentadjectiveUS /spent/
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
tars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were grizzled, wizened old chaps.
thirty-year-olds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
TriggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading These sailors were ancient tars whose lives had been spent at sea.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Doraine was deserted except for Captain Trigger and the half-dozen sailors who remained with him.
wizenedadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzənd/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading They were grizzled, wizened old chaps.
womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Inside of a fortnight after the events just chronicled, the women came ashore to occupy the practically completed huts.
yearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading One of them, Joe Sands, had been an able seaman for forty-six years, and, despite a perpetual crick in the back, he insisted that he was still an abler seaman than ninety-five per cent, of the thirty-year-olds who followed the sea for a living.
