Chapter IX

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

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

later than; following

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

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

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

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

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

stern foremost or backward

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

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

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

past form of “bawl” — shout loudly and without restraint

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

plural of “berg” — a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

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

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

official routes of communication

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

packed especially tightly

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

plural of “command” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

having the place or position changed

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

at any time

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

borne up by or suspended in a liquid

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

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

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

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

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

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

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

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

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

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

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

with strained or eager attention

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

immediately past

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

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

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

small Arctic whale the male having a long spiral ivory tusk

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

not any; not one

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

many times at short intervals

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

and nothing more

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

the act of passing from one state or place to the next

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

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

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

operate an airplane

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

having or caused by an irregular surface

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

a large beer glass

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

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

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

in the near future

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

past form of “tack” — fasten with tacks

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

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

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

(of bolts or screws) having screw threads

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

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

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

of imposing height; especially standing out above others

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

made neat and tidy by trimming

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

either of two large northern marine mammals having ivory tusks and tough hide over thick blubber

From this reading THE WALRUS HUNT Hour after hour the _Narwhal_ sailed steadily on, and ever as she proceeded, the floating ice and lofty drifting bergs grew larger and more numerous.

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

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

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

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.

at the time that

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading When the shores of Baffin Island at last rose above the sea, the water was only visible as narrow lanes of green amid the wide stretch of rough ice.

in the company of; together with

From this reading How the schooner could ever get through the vast field with its bobbing close-packed cakes and its towering bergs, was a mystery to the boys.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Often after the schooner’s passage, the ice, disturbed by her wake, would drift across the channels, and soon the boys, looking astern, could see nothing but the vast field of ice showing no sign of the open water by which they had entered.

plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride

From this reading They watched intently as old Cap’n Pem, now in charge as ice pilot, bawled out quick, sharp orders, and at his commands, the helm was shifted, yards were swung and sails trimmed instantly as the _Narwhal_ tacked and turned and twisted and threaded her devious way through the narrow leads.