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Born to Wander
Born to Wander

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Born to Wander
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.
If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.
But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.
The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.
The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Born to Wander

Chapter IV

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.
Line 2
If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.
Line 3
But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.
Line 4
The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.
Line 5
The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.”

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Lubbers plural noun US /ˈlʌbərz/

inexperienced or clumsy sailors

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.”

Perhaps noun US /perhaps/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.”

All words in this reading · 135

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

all

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

aloft

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

Atlantic

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

away

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

back

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

badly

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

bare

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

blame

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

came

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

cards

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

cart-whips

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

Channel

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

cities

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

cracking

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

cry

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

damage

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

deals

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

doing

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

empty

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

fashion

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

furling

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

further

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

gale

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

get

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

go

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

hallooing

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

handled

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

harbour

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

honour

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

I'll

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

indeed

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

Irish

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

laying

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

lead

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

like

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

lost

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

lubbersplural nounUS /ˈlʌbərz/

inexperienced or clumsy sailors

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

lucky

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

man

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

managed

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

men

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

met

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

million

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

moved

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

notice

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

Ocean

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

off

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

only

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

Pah

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

perhaps

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

poles

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

pretty

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

put

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

quickly

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

raging

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

rare

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

ribbons

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

rigging

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

ripping

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

roaring

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

rolling

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

roofs

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

safely

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

sails

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

scream

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

Sea

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

ships

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

shorten

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

spires

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

spot

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

sprightly

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

stalks

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

stick

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

storm

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

taken

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

tearing

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

then

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

tiles

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

topmast

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

tossing

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

towns

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

two

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading It came hallooing over the Atlantic Ocean, and every ship it met had to do honour to it on the spot, by furling sails, or even laying to under bare poles.

up

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

vindictively

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

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

wheel

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The gale came tearing up Channel, and roaring across the Irish Sea, and lucky indeed were those ships that managed to put back and get safely into harbour, where the storm could only scream vindictively through the empty rigging.

whist

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

From this reading The gale went raging over towns and cities, doing rare damage among stalks and spires, ripping and rolling lead off roofs, and tossing the tiles about as one deals cards at whist.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading If these sails were quickly taken in by men who moved in a pretty and sprightly fashion, all right--the gale went on.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

work

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

yard

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

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading But if lubbers went to work aloft, or the wheel was badly handled--then "Pah!" the wind would cry, "_I'll_ shorten sail for you," and away would go the sails in ribbons, cracking like half a million cart-whips, and perhaps a stick at the same time, a topmast or yard, and if a man or two were lost, the wind took neither blame nor further notice.