7
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
move towards
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
Calder's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
captorsnounUS /ˈkæptərz/
plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
capturedverbUS /ˈkæptʃərd/
past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
divernounUS /ˈdaɪvər/
someone who works underwater
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
embracesnounUS /emˈbreɪsɪz/
plural of “embrace” — the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
examinationnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
extricateverbUS /ˈekstrəkeɪt/
release from entanglement of difficulty
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading The tide was now well on the flood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
lightersnounUS /ˈlaɪtərz/
plural of “lighter” — a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
look-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
modestadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdəst/
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The tide was now well on the flood.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The tide was now well on the flood.
overgrownadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈɡroʊn/
covered with growing plants
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
paddle-wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The examination of the prize by her captors was now practically complete.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
reappearedverbUS /ˌriːəˈpɪrd/
past form of “reappear” — appear again
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
resemblingverbUS /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
sand-bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
term of address for a man
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
speedilyadverbUS /ˈspiːdəli/
with speed
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The tide was now well on the flood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
towingverbUS /ˈtoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “tow” — drag behind
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
tugverbUS /tʌɡ/
pull hard
From this reading "A tug and a couple of lighters bearing down, sir," reported the _Calder’s_ look-out before the diver had reappeared from his errand of investigation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
unwieldyadjectiveUS /ənˈwiːldi/
difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
visibilitynounUS /ˌvɪzəˈbɪlɪti/
quality or fact or degree of being visible; perceptible by the eye or obvious to the eye
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Approaching at the modest rate of 7 knots was a paddle-wheel steamer towing two unwieldy craft resembling overgrown canal barges.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
(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 The tide was now well on the flood.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It wanted about a couple of hours to high water, and, since the falling glass and clear visibility of distant objects betokened the approach of bad weather, urgent steps would have to be taken speedily to extricate the captured submarine from the embraces of the sand-bank.
