used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
asternadverb
stern foremost or backward
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading FITTING AWAY.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
breastworknoun
fortification consisting of a low wall
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
let fall to the ground
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
FITTINGadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading FITTING AWAY.
floatverbUS /floʊt/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
floatingadjectiveUS /ˈfloʊtɪŋ/
borne up by or suspended in a liquid
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
GriffinnounUS /ˈɡrɪfɪn/
winged monster with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
RhinesnounUS /raɪnz/
plural of “rhine” — United States parapsychologist (1895-1980)
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
SeptembernounUS /sepˈtembər/
the month following August and preceding October
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
SethnounUS /seθ/
(Old Testament) third son of Adam and Eve; given by God in place of the murdered Abel
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
Strout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
carry out
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
a special situation
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading They then built a breastwork of logs on the beach, and above the tide, reaching to the bow of their craft, to run the boards on.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
WarrennounUS /ˈwɔːrən/
United States writer and poet (1905-1989)
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now the month of September, and time to think of getting ready for sea.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
at the time that
From this reading The first thing they did was to take the anchor the pirates left on the beach, carry it out and drop it astern, to hold her when she should float, though it must be confessed she did not have much more the appearance of floating than a basket.
which person or people
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
Yelf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rhines came on to the island, and with him John Strout, who had closed up his fishing, and was to be first mate; Seth Warren, who was second mate; and Joe Griffin and Robert Yelf, who were to go before the mast.
