Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

(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 bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

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

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

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

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

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

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

a nonmagnetic housing for a ship's compass (usually in front of the helm)

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

having a broad or rounded end

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

a committee having supervisory powers

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

the act of breaking something

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

navigational instrument for finding directions

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

-ing form of “crest” — lie at the top of

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading DARKNESS.

the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

lacking in light; not bright or harsh

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

being one more than seven

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

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

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

plural of “gleam” — an appearance of reflected light

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

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

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

in a softened tone

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

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

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

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

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

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

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

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

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

a form of address for a man

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

not any; not one

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

and nothing more

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

(architecture) a slender upright spire at the top of a buttress of tower

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

a strong line

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

giving satisfaction

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

filled with shade

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

without speaking

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

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

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

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

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

at or nearest to the top

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

look attentively

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading "The busy deck is hushed, no sounds are waking But the watch pacing silently and slow; The waves against the sides incessant breaking, And rope and canvas swaying to and fro.

(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 bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

in or at the place that

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

during the time that

From this reading The topmost sail, it seems like some dim pinnacle Cresting a shadowy tower amid the air; While red and fitful gleams come from the binnacle, The only light on board to guide us--where?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading On went the "Martha Blunt" with no fears of danger near.

utter a yawn, as from lack of oxygen or when one is tired

From this reading The bell struck eight, the watch had been called, and the captain, taking a satisfactory look all around the horizon, glanced at the compass, and, with a slight yawn, said, "Well, Mr. Binks, I believe I'll turn in for a few hours; keep the brig on her course, and at daylight call me.