used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CATASTROPHE.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
apprizeverb
inform (somebody) of something
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
move towards
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
boatswainnounUS /ˈboʊtsweɪn/
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
CATASTROPHEnounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading A CATASTROPHE.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
discoloured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
the boundary of a surface
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
the act of departing
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
Howick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
HullnounUS /hʌl/
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
insureverbUS /ˌɪnˈʃʊr/
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
leewardnounUS /ˈliːwərd/
the direction in which the wind is blowing
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
mustn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
not any; not one
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
proximitynounUS /prɑːkˈsɪməti/
the property of being close together
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
in the near future
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
carry out
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
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 "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
whaleman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
