used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
(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 The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
bronzenounUS /brɑːnz/
an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements; also any copper-base alloy containing other elements in place of tin
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
BULLYnounUS /ˈbʊli/
a cruel and brutal fellow
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
combingnounUS /ˈkoʊmɪŋ/
the act of drawing a comb through hair
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
cultivatedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltəveɪtɪd/
(of land or fields) prepared for raising crops by plowing or fertilizing
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
easedadjectiveUS /iːzd/
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
divisible by two
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
apart from; not including
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
FijinounUS /ˈfiːdʒi/
an independent state within the British Commonwealth located on the Fiji Islands
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
flappedverbUS /flæpt/
inflected form of “flap” — move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
only a very short time before
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
helmnounUS /helm/
steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
helmsmannounUS /ˈhelmzmæn/
the person who steers a ship
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
IslandernounUS /ˈaɪləndər/
an inhabitant of an island
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
Kapua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
loinnounUS /lɔɪn/
a cut of meat taken from the side and back of an animal between the ribs and the rump
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
modulatedadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːdʒjuːleɪtɪd/
changed or adjusted in pitch, tone, or volume
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
rangesnounUS /ˈreɪndʒəz/
plural of “range” — an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
SCOTTnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
skinnedadjectiveUS /skɪnd/
having skin of a specified kind
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
strappingadjectiveUS /ˈstræpɪŋ/
muscular and heavily built
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
Talofa's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
tapanoun
the thin fibrous bark of the paper mulberry and Pipturus albidus
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
tautadjectiveUS /tɔːt/
pulled or drawn tight
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading CAPTAIN “BULLY” SCOTT AND HIS MATE Captain “Bully” Scott sat comfortably on the combing of the after deck house and gazed toward the high mountain ranges of the islands of Kapua.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The helmsman, a Fiji Islander, a strapping bronze skinned native, naked except for the loin cloth of tapa, eased down his helm until the great sails flapped idly.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The land had been in sight all day, but the fitful breeze was hardly enough to hold the “Talofa’s” great expanse of canvas out taut against the sheets.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Bring her up another point,” he directed, in a well modulated, almost cultivated voice.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet even the light breeze drove the schooner faster than the captain wished to travel.
