Chapter XI · Of the Manner of my Homecoming

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

later than; following

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

obtainable or accessible and ready for use or service

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

having undesirable or negative qualities

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

continuing in time or space without interruption

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

traveling across

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

worn and broken down by hard use

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

one or the other of two

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

toward home

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

located within the hull or nearest the midline of a vessel or aircraft

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

harmed

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

a spar that extends the bowsprit

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

the force of workers available

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

to extremes

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

except for; apart from

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

only a very short time before

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

past form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

-ing form of “secure” — get by special effort

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

transport commercially

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

characterized by or performed with much energy or force

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions

From this reading After the gale came a fog, so thick and continuous that for two days we could scarce see the end of our jibboom.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the gymnastic moves of an acrobat

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

lacking grace in movement or posture

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

an act of traveling by water

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

clean by virtue of having been washed in water

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading That occasion called for every available hand, for the securing bolts of two of our deck guns had broken adrift, and the huge ungainly weapons charged to and fro across the ship, carrying destruction in their passage.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading Bad weather dogged us during our homeward voyage.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Crossing the Bay of Biscay we were battened down for three days, and, save on one occasion, I did not go on deck the whole time the storm raged.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading After strenuous efforts the guns were secured, but at a cost of four men washed overboard and five injured, either by the heavy seas that came tumbling inboard, or else by the wild career of the derelict weapons.