used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
a quantity of money
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
cheeredverbUS /tʃɪrd/
past form of “cheer” — give encouragement to
From this reading Still, the sight of the vessel cheered them.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
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 They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
not any; not one
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
on one occasion
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
with speed
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
on the contrary
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
transport commercially
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Still, the sight of the vessel cheered them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, the sight of the vessel cheered them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
in the direction of
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
precisely as stated
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Still, the sight of the vessel cheered them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
at the time that
From this reading This was an advantage, for they would be making rather towards than away from the French coast, and, when the wind fell, might hope to reach it.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading They had seen one, and there was no reason why they should not see more.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading They now knew that the wind was blowing more from the south than it had done, and that they were therefore running to the north.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading About five o’clock in the evening they made out a sail, but it was a long way off, and was already to the west of them; and it was seen at once that it would be absolutely useless to try and row after the ship, as she was running rapidly along, although under a very small amount of canvas.
