used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
anew
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
applicationnounUS /ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən/
the act of bringing something to bear; using it for a particular purpose
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
brush-making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
CASTAWAYnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪ/
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
without deviation
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
at any time
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
father-in-law's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
floenounUS /floʊ/
a flat mass of ice (smaller than an ice field) floating at sea
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
gunboatnounUS /ˈɡʌnboʊt/
a small shallow-draft boat carrying mounted guns; used by costal patrols
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
IInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
joined in matrimony
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
narrowlyadverbUS /ˈneroʊli/
in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
on one occasion
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
propellernounUS /prəˈpelər/
a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
savingsnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋz/
a fund of money put by as a reserve
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
cut with a saw
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
a source of difficulty
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
ugliestadjectiveUS /ˈʌɡliəst/
superlative of “ugly” — displeasing to the senses
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
unluckyadjectiveUS /ənˈlʌki/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading A dirty little gunboat had been put in commission, and directly I set eyes on her I knew the voyage would be unlucky.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I sent in an application, and, having an uncle well placed, was taken on as third officer.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
at the time that
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading II: CASTAWAY On my return I married and put my savings into my father-in-law’s brush-making business, which was almost at once ruined, and I had to go to sea again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We were but three days out when we had trouble with the propeller shaft and were carried far north among the ugliest ice I ever saw, and narrowly escaped being caught in a floe.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Government money had been got for the expedition I told you of, and I knew that pay would be higher on that account.
