used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
at or in the front
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
in addition
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ESCAPE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
anear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
any thing at all
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
barkyadjective
resembling the rough bark of a tree
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
cruisingverbUS /ˈkruːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “cruise” — drive around aimlessly but ostentatiously and at leisure
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
an old word for “before”
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading AN ESCAPE.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
frigatenounUS /ˈfrɪɡət/
a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
interceptingverbUS /ˌɪntərˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “intercept” — seize on its way
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
conformity or harmony
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
nearingverbUS /ˈnɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “near” — move towards
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
perspectivenounUS /pərˈspektɪv/
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
poopnounUS /puːp/
obscene terms for feces
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
on the contrary
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
past form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
TandynounUS /ˈtændi/
United States actress (born in England) who made many stage appearances, often with her husband Hume Cronyn (1909-1994)
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
topmasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
precisely as stated
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
warshipsnounUS /ˈwɔːrʃɪps/
plural of “warship” — a government ship that is available for waging war
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
(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 The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
which person or people
From this reading Let but the night fall, and out we go, while, thanks to the Frenchman who built our little barky, we can keep so well in that she can never come anear us."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind shifted never a point, so that, ere sunset the next day, we were well down the river and nearing the mouth, while already ahead of us we could see the waves of the North Sea tumbling about.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Also, we could see something else, that we could have done very well without, namely, the topmasts of a great frigate lying about three miles off the coast, or rather cruising about and keeping off and on, the vessel being doubtless one of Louis' warships, bent on intercepting anything that came out of the river.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Yet," said Captain Tandy, as he stood on the poop and regarded her through his perspective glass, "she will not catch us.
