used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
anew
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
(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 But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
boomverbUS /buːm/
make a resonant sound, like artillery
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
Chokoloskee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
someone who is a detective
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
Etta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
gaffnounUS /ɡæf/
a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
GulfnounUS /ɡʌlf/
an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
halyardnoun
a rope for raising or lowering a sail or flag
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
leenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
most important element
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
main-sheet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
mastnounUS /mæst/
a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
reefsnounUS /riːfs/
plural of “reef” — a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
rottenadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtən/
very bad
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
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 When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
in the near future
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
southwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
squallsnounUS /skwɔːlz/
plural of “squall” — sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
successionnounUS /səkˈseʃən/
a following of one thing after another in time
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
up to a particular time
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading When reefs had been taken in the sails, the sheet replaced, and the boat was again under way, the captain said to Dick:
unreeve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
WATERSPOUTnoun
a tornado passing over water and picking up a column of water and mist
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Before an order was given Dick was half way up the mast and soon came riding down to the deck on the gaff.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The weather was bad, with a succession of squalls from the southwest, and the captain kept in the lee of the line of keys instead of taking the straight course across the Gulf.
at the time that
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading But he carried all sail till the rotten main-sheet parted at the boom, and when he came up in the wind to lower the sail the main throat halyard refused to unreeve.
in the company of; together with
From this reading CAUGHT IN A WATERSPOUT The next morning the _Etta_, with Dick on board, started for Chokoloskee.
