used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
AdditionaladjectiveUS /əˈdɪʃənəl/
further or added
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
at or in the front
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
antipathynounUS /ænˈtɪpəθi/
a feeling of intense dislike
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
cloudlessadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdləs/
free from clouds
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
communicated in words
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
forenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
FortunatelyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by good fortune
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
half-crippled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
icebergsnounUS /ˈaɪsbərɡz/
plural of “iceberg” — a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
jurynounUS /ˈdʒʊri/
a body of citizens sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
a particular point in time
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
absolutely essential
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
nightfallnounUS /ˈnaɪtfɔːl/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
not any; not one
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
Paramatta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
ReubennounUS /ˈruːbən/
(Old Testment) a son of Jacob and forefather of one of the tribes of Israel
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
secondaryadjectiveUS /ˈsekənderi/
being of second rank or importance or value; not direct or immediate
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
transport commercially
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Fortunately the night was a light one, for the moon was up, and the sky almost cloudless.
in the near future
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
staysnounUS /steɪz/
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
precisely as stated
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
watchesnounUS /ˈwɑːtʃəz/
plural of “watch” — a small portable timepiece
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At nightfall the Paramatta was in the midst of the icebergs, and Reuben soon understood the antipathy which Bill had expressed for them.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The mate stood with two of the best hands at the wheel; while the second mate took his place in the fore top, with a lantern, to signal the position of ice ahead.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As a spectacle, they were no doubt grand; but as neighbours to a half-crippled ship, with half a gale blowing, their beauty was a very secondary consideration to those on board.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Additional stays were fixed to the jury mast, as it might be necessary, at any moment, to attempt to bring her up into the wind; and the word was passed that both watches must remain on deck.
