used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
(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 The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
from appearances alone
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
black-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
boardingnounUS /ˈbɔːrdɪŋ/
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
braceverbUS /breɪs/
prepare (oneself) for something unpleasant or difficult
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
lacking funds
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
crawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
cutlassnounUS /ˈkʌtləs/
a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
cutlasses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
fire-arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
flincher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
and nothing more
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
in like or similar manner
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
a particular point in time
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
the light of the Moon
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
musteredverbUS /ˈmʌstərd/
past form of “muster” — gather or bring together
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
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 The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
pikesnounUS /paɪks/
plural of “pike” — a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
pistolsnounUS /ˈpɪstəlz/
plural of “pistol” — a firearm that is held and fired with one hand
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
in the near future
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
refrain from harming
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
spiritedadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtɪd/
displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
in or at that place or location
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The passengers were all likewise provided with muskets, pistols, and cutlasses, and the servants were ready to load spare fire-arms.
tomahawksnounUS /ˈtɑːməhɔːks/
plural of “tomahawk” — weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
towingverbUS /ˈtoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “tow” — drag behind
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Just at this moment the moonlight broke brightly through the clouds, and showed us a small, black-looking schooner, slowly crawling out from the shadow of the land.
the act of using
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We mustered about fifty in all; but there was not a flincher among us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The men were soon at their quarters--and a fine, active, spirited set of fellows they were--each armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols, while tomahawks and boarding pikes lay at hand for use if required.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her decks were apparently crowded with people, and she had a boat towing astern.
