used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
(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 Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
give a benediction to
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
BON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
CarlylenounUS /ˈkɑːrlaɪl/
Scottish historian who wrote about the French Revolution (1795-1881)
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
traveling across
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
Ethan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
set up or found
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
yet to be or coming
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
HOMME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
for more time
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
occurring by chance
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
the force of workers available
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
not any; not one
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
on one occasion
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
press-gang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
RICHARD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
ScotchnounUS /skɑːtʃ/
a slight surface cut (especially a notch that is made to keep a tally)
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
SERAPIS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
the person in command of a ship or boat
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading “If it is my good fortune to fall in with Captain Paul Jones once more,” said Ethan, “I shall bless my lucky stars.”
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
not in physical motion
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
precisely as stated
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading This latter was very much longer than they had expected; days grew into weeks and weeks into months, but still they found no means of crossing the narrow seas to France.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
at the time that
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
which person or people
From this reading Dale had little or no money, and Ethan’s supply had all but given out when, at length, they found a Scotch skipper who agreed to give them passage in his vessel.
in the company of; together with
From this reading HOW THE BON HOMME RICHARD MET THE SERAPIS Ethan Carlyle and his friend Richard Dale, after their experience with the press-gang, made it a point to keep themselves as much in the background as possible during the remainder of their stay in London.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading On the way across the two young men talked much about the future and of what they still hoped to do in the cause of liberty.
