used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
(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 We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
barkie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
behavedverbUS /bɪˈheɪvd/
past form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
CapenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
rid of obstructions
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
carefully weighed
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
at any time
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
set up or found
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
yet to be or coming
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
halliards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
jammedadjectiveUS /dʒæmd/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
jubilantadjectiveUS /ˈdʒuːbələnt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
lighternounUS /ˈlaɪtər/
a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
not any; not one
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
PacificnounUS /pəˈsɪfɪk/
the largest ocean in the world
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
seamannounUS /ˈsiːmən/
a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
seaworthinessnoun
fitness to traverse the seas
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
shinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
in the near future
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
sparverbUS /spɑːr/
furnish with spars
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
make square
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
possessing sweep
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
tailorverbUS /ˈteɪlər/
adjust to a specific need or market
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
carry out
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
tinkerverbUS /ˈtɪŋkər/
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
topsailnoun
a sail (or either of a pair of sails) immediately above the lowermost sail of a mast and supported by a topmast
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
ultimateadjectiveUS /ˈʌltəmət/
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
(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 We were fairly in the Pacific, the region of fine weather; and our little barkie had behaved so well in the gale that our confidence in her seaworthiness was thoroughly established; so that all fear of future danger from bad weather was completely taken off our minds.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were perfectly jubilant; for having rounded the Cape in safety we now considered our troubles over and our ultimate success as certain.
at the time that
From this reading But when I proceeded to take the latter in, I found that the halliards were somehow jammed aloft, and I shinned up to clear them.
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One morning, the wind having fallen considerably lighter during the preceding night, as soon as breakfast was over I roused up our square- headed topsail, with the intention of setting it in the room of the small one.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading No sailor, if he really be a _seaman_, and not a tinker or a tailor, ever goes aloft without taking a good look round him; so after I had cleared the halliards I clung to the slim spar for a minute or two whilst I swept the horizon carefully around.
