used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
admirableadjectiveUS /ˈædmərəbəl/
deserving of the highest esteem or admiration
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT ST.
Ben'snounUS /benz/
possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
boastverbUS /boʊst/
show off
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
the act of breaking something
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
make right or correct
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
being one more than seven
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
eventuallyadverbUS /ɪˈventʃəwəli/
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
exhibitionnounUS /ˌeksəˈbɪʃən/
the act of exhibiting
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
foresailnoun
the lowest sail on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
harbourverbUS /ˈhɑːrbər/
secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
on one occasion
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
owner'snounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
possessive form of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
PIERREnounUS /piˈer/
capital of the state of South Dakota; located in central South Dakota on the Missouri river
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
reefnounUS /riːf/
a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
Saltern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
Shagtown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
ST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT ST.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
an act of traveling by water
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Once they were far enough off the land to clear Shagtown Cape they had straight sailing, and shaking out the reef in the big foresail they settled down to the short voyage.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
a Caucasian
From this reading They passed Saltern a mile from the land, which was skirted by the white foam of breaking seas.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The boat gave an admirable exhibition of her qualities and proved her late owner's boast correct, for with a fair wind and a following sea she did her eight knots in grand style.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading PIERRE They had difficulty in working the boat out of the harbour, but under reduced sail and Ben's expert handling they eventually managed it.
