used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
(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 The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
coilingadjectiveUS /ˈkɔɪlɪŋ/
in the shape of a coil
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
forenoonnoun
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
harpoonsnounUS /hɑːrˈpuːnz/
plural of “harpoon” — a spear with a shaft and barbed point for throwing; used for catching large fish or whales; a strong line is attached to it
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
lances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
ropesnounUS /roʊps/
plural of “rope” — a strong line
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
ruffledadjectiveUS /ˈrʌfəld/
shaken into waves or undulations as by wind
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
cut with a saw
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
only a very short time before
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
stitchnounUS /stɪtʃ/
a link or loop or knot made by an implement in knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or sewing
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As we had been looking out for fish for some time past, everything was in readiness for them.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
propel through the air
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
tubsnounUS /tʌbz/
plural of “tub” — a relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
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 A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boats were hanging over the side ready to lower, tubs for coiling away the ropes, harpoons, lances, &c., all were ready to throw in, and start away at a moment's notice.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading OUR FIRST BATTLE I shall never forget the surprise I got the first time I saw a whale.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was in the forenoon of a most splendid day, about a week after we arrived at that part of the ocean where we might expect to find fish.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A light nor'-east breeze was blowing, but it scarcely ruffled the sea, as we crept slowly through the water with every stitch of canvas set.
