used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
(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 A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
BLUBBERverbUS /ˈblʌbər/
cry or whine with snuffling
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
brass-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
commencedverbUS /kəˈmenst/
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
CUTTINGnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
decksnounUS /deks/
plural of “deck” — any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
hoistedverbUS /ˈhɔɪstəd/
past form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
mastsnounUS /mæsts/
plural of “mast” — a vertical spar for supporting sails
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
meltverbUS /melt/
reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
the force of workers available
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
used to form the superlative
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
OILnounUS /ɔɪl/
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
quarter-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
unusual or striking
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
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 we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
scrapedverbUS /skreɪpt/
past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading A few hours after our first whale had been secured alongside all this was changed.
transport commercially
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
a special situation
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
tidyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪdi/
marked by order and cleanliness in appearance or habits
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
hard to endure
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
precisely as stated
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
(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 When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
whalenounUS /weɪl/
a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading We commenced the operation of what is called "cutting in", that is, cutting up the whale, and getting the fat or blubber hoisted in.
at the time that
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
a Caucasian
From this reading When we left port our decks were clean, our sails white, our masts well scraped; the brass-work about the quarter-deck was well polished, and the men looked tidy and clean.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The next thing we did was to "try out" the oil, or melt down the fat in large iron pots brought with us for this purpose; and the change that took place in the appearance of the ship and the men when this began was very remarkable.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading "CUTTING IN" THE BLUBBER AND "TRYING OUT" THE OIL The scene that took place on board ship after we caught our first fish was most wonderful.
