used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
(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 five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
blackeradjectiveUS /ˈblækər/
comparative of “black” — being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
boxingnounUS /ˈbɑːksɪŋ/
fighting with the fists
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
CavendishnounUS /ˈkævəndɪʃ/
British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
commodorenounUS /ˈkɑːmədɔːr/
a commissioned naval officer who ranks above a captain and below a rear admiral; the lowest grade of admiral
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
fast-rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
fleetnounUS /fliːt/
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
hailverbUS /heɪl/
praise vociferously
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
hailedverbUS /heɪld/
past form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
heavingnounUS /ˈhiːvɪŋ/
an upward movement (especially a rhythmical rising and falling)
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
hoistedverbUS /ˈhɔɪstəd/
past form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
not in physical motion
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
not any; not one
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
overcastnounUS /ˈoʊvərkæst/
the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
having a point
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
in the near future
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
except for; apart from
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
transport commercially
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
shortenverbUS /ˈʃɔːrtən/
make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
From this reading Cavendish was on deck, looking anxiously at the sky, and presently he gave the order to all hands to shorten sail, and hailed the ship lying nearest to him to do the same.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
squadronnounUS /ˈskwɑːdrən/
a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
steerage-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
swellverbUS /swel/
increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gradually the sky grew blacker and more overcast, and the sea assumed the appearance of ink.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Having lost steerage-way, they were "boxing the compass", that is, were heading first in one direction and then in another, their bows slowly swinging until they pointed in various directions.
vesselsnounUS /ˈvesəlz/
plural of “vessel” — a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
(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 five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The other vessels were lying too far away for a hail to carry, and there was no wind to lift the signal flags if hoisted; but the commodore was relieved to see the remainder of the fleet follow his example.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The five ships of the squadron were all well within sight of one another, and lay motionless save for their uneasy heaving to the swell which was now fast-rising.
