used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mast itself was but roughly finished.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
carpentersnounUS /ˈkɑːrpəntərz/
plural of “carpenter” — a woodworker who makes or repairs wooden objects
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
Elizabeth'snounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθs/
possessive form of “elizabeth” — daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading The mast itself was but roughly finished.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
galleonsnounUS /ˈɡæliənz/
plural of “galleon” — a large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts; used by the Spanish for commerce and war from the 15th to 18th centuries
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
Hilary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The mast itself was but roughly finished.
jaggedlyadverb
with a ragged and uneven appearance
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
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 By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
mainmastnoun
the chief mast of a sailing vessel with two or more masts
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading The mast itself was but roughly finished.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
mizzennoun
third mast from the bow in a vessel having three or more masts; the after and shorter mast of a yawl, ketch, or dandy
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
navigableadjectiveUS /ˈnævəɡəbəl/
able to be sailed on or through safely
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
nicetiesnounUS /ˈnaɪsɪtiz/
plural of “nicety” — conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
not any; not one
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
riggedadjectiveUS /rɪɡd/
fitted or equipped with necessary rigging (sails and shrouds and stays etc)
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading The mast itself was but roughly finished.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading By good luck the stump of the mizzen had not been snapped off so low as the others; and a jury mast was rigged in a third of the time the mainmast had taken.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
triflingnounUS /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
trimverbUS /trɪm/
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
twas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To step the masts was no trifling business.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The stump of the old mainmast was broken off low down and jaggedly, and ’twas a full day’s work for the most skilful of the _Elizabeth’s_ carpenters to fit the stump for the pine stem they had prepared.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was not stripped of its bark: the time would not serve for niceties; Hilary indeed doubted whether, with the utmost expedition, we should have the vessel in navigable trim before the galleons returned.
