used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
assailedverbUS /əˈseɪld/
past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
clankingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋkɪŋ/
having a hard nonresonant metallic sound
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
colderadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊldər/
comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
companionwaynounUS /kəmˈpænjənweɪ/
a stairway or ladder that leads from one deck to another on a ship
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
dashesnounUS /ˈdæʃɪz/
plural of “dash” — distinctive and stylish elegance
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
easieradjectiveUS /ˈiːziər/
comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The schooner presently rode easier.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/
plural of “gust” — a strong current of air
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
hawsenoun
the hole that an anchor rope passes through
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
hoarseadjectiveUS /hɔːrs/
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
in the near future
From this reading The schooner presently rode easier.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading The schooner presently rode easier.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a large beer glass
From this reading The schooner presently rode easier.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
sleetnounUS /sliːt/
partially melted snow (or a mixture of rain and snow)
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
SpringingverbUS /ˈsprɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/
subject to change or variation
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
a message informing of danger
From this reading A WARNING FROM THE SEA Springing from their resting places the four boys staggered up the unsteady companionway.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A hoarse order from forward was followed by a clanking of the cable through the hawse pipes.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading During their stay below the weather had turned colder, bringing fitful dashes of sleet out of the north.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading As they gained the deck they were assailed by terrific gusts of wind carrying sleet and snow.
