used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
augursnounUS /ˈɔːɡərz/
plural of “augur” — (ancient Rome) a religious official who interpreted omens to guide public policy
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
for the reason that
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
boringadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
the lower side of anything
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
claimantsnounUS /ˈkleɪmənts/
plural of “claimant” — someone who claims a benefit or right or title
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
coal-shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was the devilish coal-shell.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
conspiratorsnounUS /kənˈspɪrətərz/
plural of “conspirator” — a member of a conspiracy
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
devilishadjectiveUS /ˈdevlɪʃ/
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
From this reading There was the devilish coal-shell.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
divisible by two
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
inventedverbUS /ˌɪnˈventəd/
past form of “invent” — come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
not any; not one
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
and nothing more
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
saferadjectiveUS /ˈseɪfər/
comparative of “safe” — free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
only a very short time before
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
scuttlingverbUS /ˈskʌtəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “scuttle” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
shipboardadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪpbɔːrd/
casual or ephemeral as if taking place on board a ship
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
sureradjectiveUS /ˈʃʊrər/
comparative of “sure” — having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
a just detectable amount
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
a message informing of danger
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They ran over in their minds the various methods of scuttling ships which have been invented from time to time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was the good old simple plan of boring holes in the bottom with augurs.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The claimants must come over on shipboard, if only they could be got into one or even two ships; and if these vessels sank upon the voyage suddenly without a warning!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This was certainly much safer for the conspirators, as no trace would be left, and it was surer of success, because in the hall some of the victims might escape—at sea they could scarcely do so.
