used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
(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 former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
alleysnounUS /ˈæliz/
plural of “alley” — a narrow street with walls on both sides
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
barques
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
the act of breaking something
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
CherokeenounUS /ˈtʃerəkiː/
the Iroquoian language spoken by the Cherokee
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
characterized by great determination
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
dischargedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒd/
having lost your job
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
foremastnoun
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
having much knowledge or education
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
engage in
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
MauritiusnounUS /mɔːˈrɪtiəs/
a parliamentary state on the island of Mauritius
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
mutinynounUS /ˈmjuːtəni/
open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
Pamelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
quarter-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
repeatingnounUS /rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/
the act of doing or performing again
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
only a very short time before
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
selectionnounUS /səˈlekʃən/
the act of choosing or selecting
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
transport commercially
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
ship'snounUS /ʃɪps/
possessive form of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
shippedverbUS /ʃɪpt/
inflected form of “ship” — transport commercially
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
in the near future
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
spunverbUS /spʌn/
inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
whalemen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time they shipped they were informed that they were engaged, not as sailors, but as whalemen.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
whitnounUS /wɪt/
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We now directed our ship’s head to the westward, and fell in with the barques Cherokee and Pamelia.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The captain shipped a new crew, and was scarce a whit more fortunate in his selection; as a number of rough alleys, hearing of his reputation as a harsh man, determined to ship with him, in order, as they said, to work him up.
yarnnounUS /jɑːrn/
the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading Soon after they got outside, an order was passed from the quarter-deck to make spun yarn, which they refused to do, repeating the terms of their engagement.
a late time of life
From this reading The former had sailed from home some two years previous; but, mutiny breaking out amongst her crew, she was run into Mauritius, and all the foremast hands discharged.
