used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
admiralnounUS /ˈædmərəl/
the supreme commander of a fleet; ranks above a vice admiral and below a fleet admiral
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
aftadverbUS /æft/
at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
(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 FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
Barry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
cause to be bored
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
DepartmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
envelopesnounUS /ˈenvəloʊps/
plural of “envelope” — a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
FACINGnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
destroyed or killed
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
hammocknounUS /ˈhæmək/
a small natural hill
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
of great significance or value
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
the literary culture
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
LightingnounUS /ˈlaɪtɪŋ/
having abundant light or illumination
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
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 One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
NavynounUS /ˈneɪvi/
an organization of military vessels belonging to a country and available for sea warfare
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
oblivionnounUS /əˈblɪviən/
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
official-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
PROBLEMSnounUS /ˈprɑːbləmz/
plural of “problem” — a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
transport commercially
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
slungverbUS /slʌŋ/
inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Barry had often seen such envelopes addressed to the admiral.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One was a long, official-looking envelope, bearing the stamp of the Navy Department, and evidently containing an order or an important communication.
water-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
at the time that
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
in or at the place that
From this reading Lighting his lantern, that hung in the sheltered corner aft where he slung his hammock, he pulled from the breast of his shirt a little bundle of water-stained papers.
woman'snounUS /ˈwʊmənz/
possessive form of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The others, if he could judge from the outside, were private letters, and the envelopes bore, he thought, a woman's handwriting.
WORLD-OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FACING WORLD-OLD PROBLEMS When the lights in the house were all out, and they had all gone to their rest or their restlessness, to their dreams or their oblivion, the sailor returned to his ship.
