Chapter V · Chapter 5

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

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

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

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

(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 "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

relating to or expressed by a writing system that uses an alphabet

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

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

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

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

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

inflected form of “busy” — keep busy with

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

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

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

past form of “catalogue” — make an itemized list or catalog of; classify

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

a visual display of information

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

in an accurate manner

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

command with authority

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

the organ of sight

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

a person who operates a farm

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

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

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

the act of departing

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

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

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

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

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

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

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

a language user's knowledge of words

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

the angular distance between a point on any meridian and the prime meridian at Greenwich

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

the courage to carry on

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

a form of address for a man

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

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

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

a symbol used to represent a number

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

and nothing more

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

by chance

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

a quarter of the circumference of a circle

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

more quickly

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

precisely, exactly

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

examine minutely or intensely

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

any process serving to define the shape of something

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

a railroad employee in charge of signals and point in a railroad yard

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

plural of “signal” — any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

term of address for a man

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

in the near future

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

plural of “subject” — the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

fasten with tacks

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

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

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading "That'll be better than going about on the port tack, as I thought we should have to do, sir."

comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

-ing form of “weather” — face and withstand with courage

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

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

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading "It's longitude 9 degrees 15 minutes west, sir."

in or at the place that

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.

which person or people

From this reading "But, we can go a couple of points more free, sir," observed Mr Quadrant, who had busied himself shaping a course on a chart by the binnacle as soon as he heard the latitude and longitude given.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "All right, put it down correctly, signalman," said Captain Farmer; and, turning to the commander, he added, "Why, Nesbitt, it's nearly in our direct course across the Bay, only we shall have a tighter squeeze, perhaps, in weathering Finisterre."

officer in the (ceremonial) bodyguard of the British monarch

From this reading "Ay, ay, sir," returned the yeoman, all on his mettle and his eye the quicker to scan the alphabetical pages of his flag lexicon where the signals were catalogued in groups according to their subjects, this one being a numeral and, therefore, all the easier to read.