used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
(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 All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
react verbally
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
billowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
brigantinenounUS /ˌbrɪɡənˈtiːn/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on the foremast and fore-and-aft rigged on the mainmast
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
CaribbeannounUS /kərˈɪbiən/
an arm of the Atlantic Ocean between North and South America; the origin of the Gulf stream
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
corknounUS /kɔːrk/
outer bark of the cork oak; used for stoppers for bottles etc.
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
despairingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsperɪŋ/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
at any time
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
goose-wing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
half-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
hurricanenounUS /ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/
a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
a boy or man
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
maintainverbUS /meɪnˈteɪn/
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
mizzen-stick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
mountainousadjectiveUS /ˈmaʊntənəs/
having hills and crags
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
not any; not one
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
staggeringadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/
so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
steeragewaynoun
(nautical) the minimum rate of motion needed for a vessel to be maneuvered
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
tropicaladjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪkəl/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Her masts had long since gone by the board, and upon the stump of the mizzen-stick a bit of canvas like a goose-wing had been spread in the useless endeavor to maintain steerageway.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
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 All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
which person or people
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Will we ever weather this terrible storm?"
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was a half-grown lad who flung this despairing question out; the wind carried the sound of his voice off over the billows; but there came no answer.
people who are wounded
From this reading A brigantine, battered by the tropical hurricane sweeping up from the Caribbean Sea, was staggering along like a wounded beast.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading All around, the sea rose and fell in mountainous waves, on which the poor wreck tossed about, as helpless as a cork.
