Chapter III · Chapter 3

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

exercising caution or showing care or attention

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

a pair who associate with one another

From this reading The cutter possessed a couple of long sweeps.

the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

someone who cuts or carves stone

From this reading The cutter possessed a couple of long sweeps.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

impaired by diminution

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

render capable or able for some task

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

an opposing military force

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

secretly shelter (as of fugitives or criminals)

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The cutter possessed a couple of long sweeps.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

on one occasion

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

in other respects or ways

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

to some extent; in some degree; not wholly

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading The cutter possessed a couple of long sweeps.

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

cause to go somewhere

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

to, toward, or in the southeast

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

walk heavily

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

be standing; be upright

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

the act of guiding or showing the way

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

required or under orders

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

plural of “sweep” — a wide scope

From this reading The cutter possessed a couple of long sweeps.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This greatly diminished the chances of the cutter's escape.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

French economist who in 1774 was put in control of finances by Louis XVI; his proposals for reforms that involved abolishing feudal privileges made him unpopular with the aristocracy and in 1776 he was dismissed (1727-1781)

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

except if; if not

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

a tube in which a body fluid circulates

From this reading Could he once get into harbour he would be safe, unless the frigate should send her boats in to cut his vessel out.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.

the direction from which the wind is coming

From this reading Captain Turgot, however, like a brave man, did not tear his hair, or stamp, or swear, as Frenchmen are sometimes supposed to do, but, taking the helm, set every sail his craft could carry, and did his best, by careful steering, to keep to windward of the enemy.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The wind was from the south-east, and being thus partially off shore, would enable the frigate to stand in closer to the land than she otherwise might have ventured to do.